I have always used my meat mallet to break up the large bag of ice I keep in the freezer. Recently, Dave broke the head right off as he attempted to crack the bag of ice loose. You don’t have to tell me….I know there are ice picks out there that would do the job more efficiently!

     Jesus, however, knows exactly what I need to break apart the hard, solid and unmovable places in my heart. He doesn’t try one thing and then realize He should have tried something else. He knows what will work. I’m the one who usually recoils at the choice of tool for the task at hand. “No, not that!” is usually my heart cry when circumstances, people and life in general are used by the Master Craftsman of my heart. In my mind I prefer a whack over the head with a fluffy pillow. I am sure, if that would work, God would use it! But, more often than not, it’s the meat mallet!

     Whatever you may be facing today is exactly what He is using to mold you and shape you. I wish you didn’t hurt so badly. I wish there were another way. Take a breath and don’t look at the circumstance or person God is using right now.  Just ask the Lord what He wants to do in you.  What does He want you to become in all of this? He may speak to your heart in a different way than He has been speaking to mine but this TWEET from Mary De Muth summed it up for me…  “Tenderize me, Jesus!”

     While our hearts can atrophy, Jesus desires for us to become tender – towards Him and others in the midst of our hearts aches and our willingness to grow hard and cold. It is a tough prayer but Jesus, make me tender like you!

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6 NASB

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6, 7 NASB

Blessings, Kathy

Kathy’s on staff at America’s KESWICK in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 27 years.  They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local Church and has taught Sunday School and Bible Studies for women. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God’s Word.