Saturday, February 17: “Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling”

Saturday, February 17: Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me.
See, on the portals he’s waiting and watching, watching for you and for me.
“Come home, come home! You who are weary, come home.”
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling, “O sinner, come home!”

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading, pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not his mercies, mercies for you and for me?
“Come home, come home! You who are weary, come home!”
Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling, calling, “O sinner, come home!”

Oh, for the wonderful love he has promised, promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon, pardon for you and for me.
“Come home, come home! You who are weary, come home!”
Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling, calling, “O sinner, come home!”

Life adjustment in 1991: I never realized that my life could fall apart so quickly. When my husband left me for someone else, the bottom dropped out. I fell into a world of not knowing who I was or where I was going. My life was so wrapped up in being Mrs. Bronner that I didn’t know how to be me.

Instead of running to God, I ran from God. I ran from everyone. I preferred being in the house with the curtains closed so that I could hibernate from the world. I didn’t feel like going out or being with people. Depression had overtaken me. I didn’t know how to fight it alone.

I continued to go to work, act as Church Council president and attend night classes at Miami University. I was there physically, but not mentally. My happiness had taken a skydive. I didn’t have the power to overcome it. My friends encouraged me to see someone professionally, but I wasn’t ready. Then, one night on the way to school, I started crying uncontrollably and had to pull off to the side of the road. I didn’t attend class that night. The next day I realized that my friends were right and that I should get help, which I did.

Sometimes our fears, hurt and anger block out everything. Even the voice of Jesus. Jesus was watching and waiting for me to hear Him. I turned back to Jesus and he accepted me with wide-spread arms. He sought me out just as he did the one sheep out of the ninety-nine. With the help of Jesus, I was able to move on and discover who I was. I was no longer a Mrs. Bronner. I am Sherry, a child of God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus: Thank you for always watching over us and lovingly bringing us back to you when we stray. You know our inner struggles. Your Holy Spirit tugs at our heart until we hear you calling. Thank you for being a prayer away. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sherry Bronner