JULY 3, 2014
Tender
Loving Care
Read: 1
Thessalonians 2:1-7
We were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own
children. —1
Thessalonians 2:7
Max runs a small farm
as a hobby. Recently when he checked on the cows he is raising, he was
surprised to see a newborn calf! When he bought the cattle, he had no idea one
was pregnant. Sadly, the mother cow had complications and died shortly after
her calf was born. Immediately, Max purchased some powdered milk so he could
feed the calf from a bottle. “The calf thinks I’m its mother!” Max said.
The tender story of
Max’s new role with the calf reminded me of how Paul likened himself to a
caring mother in dealing with the believers at Thessalonica: “We were gentle
among you,” he said, “just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children” (1
Thess. 2:7).
Paul adopted a
nurturing attitude when teaching people. He knew believers needed the “milk of
the word” for spiritual growth (1 Peter 2:2). But he also gave special attention
to the concerns of those he cared for. “We dealt with each of you as a father
deals with his own children,” Paul said, “encouraging, comforting and urging
you to live lives worthy of God” (1 Thess. 2:11-12 niv).
As we serve each
other, may we serve with the tender loving care of our Savior, encouraging each
other in our spiritual journey (Heb. 10:24).
Dear Lord, help me to
be sensitive
and caring as I serve
others.
Help me to love others
tenderly as You
so tenderly love and
care for me.
God pours His love
into our hearts to flow out to others’ lives.
Insight
Because of the
severity of Paul’s words in battling false teachings and correcting sinful
conduct, he often comes across as devoid of tenderness, gentleness, or
compassion (1 Cor. 16:22; Gal. 1:8-9; Phil. 3:2; 2 Tim. 4:14-15; Titus 3:10).
But there is a gentle and tender side of Paul that is equally evident in his
letters (1 Cor. 2:3; 2 Cor. 10:1; Gal. 6:1; 2 Tim. 2:24-25). In 1 Thessalonians
2:7-8, Paul shows parental qualities such as gentleness and love. In verses
11-12, he encourages and comforts his spiritual children, urging them to live
holy lives.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
