“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Eph. 4:32
Heavenly Father, it wouldn’t be “manning up,” as they say. It’d simply be me walking into a tattoo parlor and asking for a small tattoo of 3 letters—ktf, to be inked onto my wrist. You’ve already “monogrammed” the whole verse on my heart, but only you can read my heart. ktf—shorthand for “kind, tenderhearted, forgiving.” I want these three expressions of the Gospel to increasingly “mark” my life, all the way Home.
Abba, it was your kindness that first revealed the depth of my need for a Savior—convicting and convincing me of my sin, and then driving me to Jesus in a “high speed hearse.” A hearse because I was dead and I needed life, which you freely gave me in Jesus. And ever since, you have only been kind to me, and to each of your children. Kind—full of steadfast love and unyielding grace—not “mushy” or easy to manipulate. Kind—that is, non-condemning and non-shaming.
And no one is more tenderhearted than you, Abba. You created empathy and compassion, and remain their source, headstream and supply. We see this most clearly as we ponder your gift of Jesus to us and for us. No one is more gentle and humble. No one has ever said to us, “Come weary, heavily burdened ones. I will give you rest.” Jesus still invites us, and you still love us so tenderheartedly.
Forgiving—I’m glad that’s a participle—one of those “ing” words that conveys ongoing action. Abba, through Jesus’ selfless, greatest-sacrifice-ever work on our behalf, you have forgiven all of our sins—sins in the past, present, and future. We didn’t “get a pass,” you gave us grace. You forever remain a “forgiving Father”—it’s your state, nature, and joy. “ktf”—Abba, it’s who you are, how you relate to us, and how you delight to live and love through us. So may it be, So Very Amen.