tenderly with freedom

The choir is practicing some great music for upcoming Sunday services.  One of my favorites is called "Bow the Knee".  It speaks majestically and warmly of our need to trust God even when we don't understand what's happening in our lives.  As we sang in practice, I noticed the composer had three words written above the beginning of the music: "tenderly with freedom" to convey the kind of feeling we should inject as we sing.  I was struck with the parallel to our Lord and His manner as well as his mission in our lives.  Our Heavenly Father and His Son are obviously mighty but they are also tender.  We sometimes think we are strong but we are fragile and so we need His strength to uphold us and we also need his sensitive touch to protect and gently lead us.  It is because we are secure in His strength and His tender hands that we are free to know and love Him.  Our freedom leads us to gratitude and we find ourselves eager to "Bow the Knee".   Job 14:7 For there is hope for a tree,       If it is cut down, that it will sprout again,       And that its tender shoots will not cease.   blessings, Rob Smith http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/