Try a little tenderness...

I'll give her bouquets of roses. I'll turn Heartbreak Valley into Acres of Hope.  — Hosea 2:14 MSG Tenderness by Jess Connolly, from Take It Too Far And now, here's what I'm going to do: I'm going to start all over again. I'm taking her back out into the wilderness where we had our first date, and I'll court her. I'll give her bouquets of roses. I'll turn Heartbreak Valley into Acres of Hope. — Hosea 2:14 MSG "Jess is hard on stuff." My friend was describing me, specifically as it related to my worn-down jacket that I'd just tossed on the floor. I was eighteen and in my freshman college dorm. As the frayed outer garment hit the ground, the words hit my heart. And I haven't forgotten that phrase, said so casually and innocently, for almost two decades. Jess is hard on stuff. It's true; I can be. I can love people into exhaustion. I can belabor a point like no one you've ever met. I take it too far! It's what I do. To jackets, foods, people, ideas, and thoughts. I hold on to them tight and squeeze all the goodness out of them, because when I love something, or even like it, I just want more of it. It's only by the power of the Holy Spirit and many years of failure that I've learned you can love something so much that you take tenderness too far in all the best ways. You can love something the way God does and express it through patience and gentleness; you can love tenderly and expectantly, and that's not weak or holding back. There's a connection with our Father that takes place when we move toward things, people, ideas, dreams, visions, gifts, and scenarios that we love, while also realizing what kind of love and care that thing, person, idea, or scenario needs. And sometimes things need tenderness. Sometimes they need tenderness taken too far. Sometimes I need tenderness taken too far. And God always delivers and always teaches me through His intentional care for me. I can be hard on stuff, but I can also be tender, because I'm made in His image. And being tender can be taking it too far. I can be my fully awake, alive, extreme self and still be tender. Because He is too. How has God been tender with you? Is there a person, idea, or place that needs some tenderness from you right now? What would it look like to take it too far? Excerpted with permission from Take It Too Far by Jess Connolly, copyright Jessica Ashleigh Connolly. Your Turn Maybe this season has brought out a little more hardness than you wish you possessed. Maybe tenderness has taken a back seat to irritation and intensity. Today, let's pray that the Lord would take it too far with His tenderness with us and that we would pass that on. Come share your thoughts with us on our blog. We want to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily COMMENT Share this devotion with someone who needs it today. A beautiful new devotional from beloved writer Jess Connolly Save 40% off Take It Too Far: Abundant Life, Boundless Love, Unending Grace Hardcover: $16.99 Sale Price: $10.19 (40% off) ebook price: $9.99 + free U.S. shipping* on orders $30 or more SHOP NOW Do you ever find yourself hesitant to use your gifts because you're afraid you'll fail? Many of us feel so insecure about what we have to bring to the world that we hold back our voice and talents instead of delighting in how God made us. Bestselling coauthor of Wild and Free, Jess Connolly has a passionate plea for you: Take It Too Far. Several years ago, Jess began using the phrase "take it too far" as a motto for her spiritual life. She found that those four words freed her to recognize and use her God-given gifts to serve others. Just as Jesus offered extravagant love for us on the cross, God calls us to live extravagantly for Him as we take grace, forgiveness, and faith as far as they can go in our lives. Take It Too Far includes 100 devotions exploring topics such as peace, rest, purpose, hope, wonder, discipline, and courage. Each entry includes a Scripture verse, reflections from Jess, and a conclusion that shows you how you can take it too far today. With the Holy Spirit's guidance and Jess's freeing charge, you will be inspired to bring your full self, gifts, and voice to your work, family, and relationships. The possibilities are endless when you tell God you're ready to Take It Too Far. Take a closer look at this devotional... Learn more and save 40% off Don't Miss this Deal Save 60% off the unique flip-book devotional Always Enough, Never Too Much: 100 Devotions to Quit Comparing, Stop Hiding, and Start Living Wild and Free by Jess Connolly & Hayley Morgan List Price: $16.99 Sale Price: $6.80 (60% off) SHOP NOW Discover God's wild freedom as you find your identity in Jesus with 100 devotions that will help you target and banish lies and insecurities. Jess Connolly and Hayley Morgan, bestselling authors of Wild and Free, walk you through the gift of truly knowing who you are in Christ in Always Enough, Never Too Much: 100 Devotions to Quit Comparing, Stop Hiding, and Start Living Wild and Free.   Learn More and Save 60% off... JULY DEALS END FRIDAY *Sale prices valid through 7/30/2020, excluding eBooks.  eBooks purchases are fulfilled by our partner, Glose.  Free U.S. shipping on orders $30 or more, excluding Alaska and Hawaii Devotionals Daily ~ our mission is to help you grow and share your faith. Did you receive this message from a friend? Sign up to start receiving Devotionals Daily. Copyright © 2020 HarperCollins Christian Publishing,  All Rights Reserved. 501 Nelson Place, Nashville, TN  37214  USA Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy *Manage Your eMail Preferences or Unsubscribe

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