My arms were designed to hold little ones. The gentle curve, warmth and soft embrace are a perfect fit. It’s God’s way of creating a space reserved for love. When I draw little ones close, it feels like an act of pure tenderness. The fresh scent of baby hands and feet is a sweet inhale of the love of God. And, when I catch the adoring eyes of a baby gazing into my own, I hear the whisper of trust.
Each memory of my own sons as babies reflects the tender affection of a new generation and the deep love of the Father. My grandson is just beginning to understand the constancy of love. My son and daughter-in-law’s hearts are growing as they share mommy and daddy love. Aunt and Uncle love add in the mix, but the greatest gift is the love of the Father.
God invites us daily to extend kindness and compassion to others. It’s not only our invitation but our way to Him. I find I lose sight of how to extend kindness and compassion to myself. God never holds back His tender affection and wants us to do the same for ourselves.
Lamentations 3 digs into a time of waiting and the burdens we carry as the feeling of devastation washes over us. The first twenty verses or so takes the reader through a period of lamenting over life. There is heartache, uncertainty, and affliction that cover Jeremiah as He calls out to God. A mantle of anguish and stress feel overwhelming, but God intervenes and Jeremiah learns of God’s new mercies (Lamentations 3:23)
The progression of suffering to God’s faithfulness that plays out in Lamentations is familiar to me. The highs and lows become a steady cadence when I allow lamenting to take over. But it all changes when the sweet safety net of God’s love infuses my soul.
When I read the words “new mercies“, my first thought is of the compassion of God. A little digging into the word “mercy” broadens the scope of God’s endless love and protection He covers us with. The Hebrew word for “mercy” is ra-cha-min and is derived from the word for “womb”. The most motherly organ in the body is one full of compassion and tenderness. It’s the place where the deepest connection between mother and baby takes place. It’s the place where God meets us when life dips, twists, and leads us on a ride we never intended getting on.
God not only gives us the gift of a new day but showers us with His tender affections. He envelops us in grace and mercy by keeping us safe in the womb of His love. New mercies bring compassion, a sense of motherly love, and protection.
Now when I lose sight of the sweet tenderness of my Father, I can pull from the deep-seated love I possess for my children and grandchildren to understand the depths the Father goes for me.
I am loved.
I am safe.
And, I am connected deeply to God who cares more for me than I will ever care for myself.
God's tender affections reach beyond our imaginings. His gift of new mercies are not just for today, but everyday. #newpost #TellHisStory #linkup Share on XToday I hope we can join together to receive the tender affection of our Father. The connection of love that takes place in the womb is ours to have and pass onto others. It’s why we praise God with grateful hearts and why David talks about it in Psalm 139.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14
Maybe, just maybe, you and I will receive the gift of new mercies knowing fully that this is not just for today, but everyday.
God’s tender affection reaches beyond our imaginings, covers us with His protection and holds us in the womb of His endless love.
Blessings,
Photo by freestocks.org on Unsplash
***Join me next week as I open the doors for Anita Ojeda as the Tell His Story featured writer. You can find her HERE.
Good afternoon Mary, your words washed over as His tender mercy came through. Thank you dear sister in Christ for your obedient pen, sharing Him. May God continue to bless you as you steward your legacy. Love, Julie
Those cheeks on your grandson are precious! I am so glad for our Father’s tender mercies – and that even before we breathed our first breath, He had all the contingency plans to out maneuver the devil!
He has the best cheeks ever!!! 🙂 I am standing in gratefulness that the Father loves us even more than we love ourselves or others. He has the best plans and the challenge is saying “yes” and walking them out with God. Thanks for being here!
You look stunningly content being a grandmother! Reminds me that our Father must be that way too…stunningly content in loving us.
I am and content is the perfect word to describe this new love. And how fitting to connect the Father’s love as contentment in us too. Blessings!
He is so kind and tender with us. Thanks for the reminder through your beautiful word pictures. laurensparks.net
God is tender and never fails to protect us in the womb of His love. I am blessed to have you here, Lauren!
Beautiful, Mary. I know just what you mean about being a perfect fit when you hold grandchildren. They are such a blessing. Blessings to you!
Good to see you, Gayl! You have lots of experience with grandchildren so I know you know. And yes, they are a blessing! Hope you are doing well, my friend!
Beautiful post Mary! And what a little cutie! 😀 I love being a Grandmother too!
Bless you,
Jennifer
I have a whole new love language– one that includes grandchildren. Thank you for joining me here in this space.
I held my niece’s little 5 lb baby over the weekend, such a perfect fit! Your little grandson is absolutely adorable. You look like you’re having the time of your life. I’m happy that I know the feeling, too! 🙂
It’s just like God to create us to love, cherish and hold little ones, isn’t it? I imagine it was wonderful holding your niece. I know your granddaughter is growing up. I am having the time of my life. I knew it would be wonderful but I didn’t realize how wonderful.
Dear Mary,
What sweet words you have shared with us today! I love the deeper meaning of “mercy” as “womb.” And you have illustrated that so beautifully for us in the dear love that you have been blessed with for your new Grandson. Truly the tender affections of our Father can never be fully grasped, and yet He brings us such glimpses through those loves He sends our way! Blessings to you!
I am amazed at how God provides deeper meaning for the words He gives us. When I learned that mercy comes from the Hebrew word for “womb”, I felt the tender affection of God. He is so good to us. I am finding that love grows and changes as we get older. I had no idea how wonderful and fulfilling grandchild love could be. I am blessed. I appreciate you and your kindness in this space.
What a beautiful reminder of God’s love. Thank you! Darling picture of the two of you. Maree
God’s tender affections are a sweet reminder of His love for us. Thank you for your willingness to encourage others and me. Many blessings on your week.
This is a beautiful post! I loved your reflections on God’s love, and the photos of course! And those verses from Lamentations are some of my favourites!
I love the contrast that Lamentations portrays. It’s nice to be reminded that God is with and for us every step of the way. Thank you for your encouragement. May you feel deeply loved by the Father this week.
This is such a beautiful picture of His mercies toward us. Just seeing myself in the womb – so precious. Thank you so much. And I love the pics 😉❤😍
It is precious to see the protection of our Father and the womb is a perfect illustration of this. I pray you feel the tender affection of God this week. Thank you for sharing your sweet voice here.
Aww! What a beautiful grandson 😍. I love how God continually uses family to point out spiritual realities to us. May we gaze in wonder and trust at our Father as he holds us close through each storm that comes our way.
Aww! I think he is the best! I pray you find many tender moments this week even in the midst of new school year. God is there ready to protect and provide His love.
Beautiful post about the safety net of God’s love, Mary. Love the meaning behind “mercy” and its connection to the “womb.” What a powerful picture of our Father’s tender affections. Enjoyed your sweet pictures!
Thank you, Karen! Isn’t it just like God to provide a better picture of His tender mercies by sharing the meaning with the word “womb”? Only God!! May you feel God’s tender affections this week in all of your daily encounters.
You know what a gift it is to be a Mimi! I am loving every minute of it.
What a beautiful reflection on love and tender affection! Being a grandmother becomes you! I remember how much more bonded I felt to my parents when I had my first baby. It was like “Oh. I understand now what your life has been and what you went through.” And when my brothers had children, I felt more bonded to them as well. God’s design is marvelous!
Thank you! God’s design is truly marvelous. Watching how He weaves all the pieces together is a gift. Seeing the love that He adds to each storyline is amazing.
I am loving being a Mimi. It is better than anything I have ever known. It is pure tenderness and love wrapped up together in a sweet package.
I have learned so much about God’s love by parenting.
Believe me, I don’t always get it right, but to imagine how much I love my kids and then realize that God loves me (and them) that much more in full perfection amazes me!
Being a parent is my greatest honor and now watching the legacy of the next generation unfold in my grandson is even better. God has nothing but tenderness for us and I love how He shows me this daily. God loves us more than we ever will love someone else. Blessings to you!
What a sweet and tender picture of God’s love.
It’s just like God to show us how deep His love is for us. The word tender just hits me in all the soft places of my heart.
Mary, such a beautiful post. Leaning into God’s tender mercy, His perfect and passionate love, is the best thing we can do in any season of life, but especially in the hard seasons. I’m so thankful His tender mercies are new every morning. Those verses from Lamentations are some of my favorites. I’ve now got that line from “How Great Thou Art” going through my head. What a great thought to begin the day.
I love that photo of you with your grandson!
God is teaching me again of His tenderness. It is a reminder for me that I am not an orphan. I revisit this often after the loss of my parents. And there is nothing like the gift of new mercies each morning. Lamentations states it so beautifully. Thank you for being here and always encouraging me.
P.S. I love that picture of me and my grandson too.
Mary,
You look TOTALLY in your element with your precious grandson!! I love that the translation of “mercy” is “womb”. There is no safer place for us to be – surrounded and engulfed in the love and safety of the Lord. Beautiful imagery. Enjoy this precious time!
Blessings,
Bev xx
I also love the image of the womb as a place for mercy. It shows me once more how deep the Father’s love is for each of us. As for being in my element, you are right! Being a Mimi is the best gig ever!
Good morning Mary. God led me to Lamentations yesterday. What a beautiful way you have described mercy. It is something I need to keep learning about. May God bless you this given Tuesday. In Christ, Julie
Good evening, friend! God certainly knows what we need and I love that He steered you to Lamentations. I pray you find a deeper understanding and you dig into God’s mercy. Blessings!
Beautiful truth, Mary! I love Lamentations with its whiplash turn toward mercy at the midpoint.
And that Grammy Grin looks so good on you!
Lamentations is beautiful portrayal of despair and hope. I know you understand my big, cheesy grin. There is nothing like being a Mimi!! 🙂