3A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
I remember going camping and trying to start a campfire with damp wood. What a chore! I had to protect even the smallest hopes of a flame in order to keep the fire going, let alone encourage it enough to produce enough heat to be of use. It can take tender care to get a fire going in those conditions. One false move and the hopes of warmth get snuffed out. We can snuff out the hope in a child when we downplay something that they value. The power of a look or a off-handed remark can put out a child’s dream. That is why I always try to get down on a child’s level when they want to talk to me. I did this at church two weeks ago and this precious little one jumped in my arms! Mom looked down and said, “She misses her dad. He is deployed.” I think this little girl just needed to know that someone cared. Her mom obviously did, and I did too. Those little looks, those small words are what the Gospel is about. God doesn’t always send lightning storms to speak to us. Sometimes, oftentimes it is those very small words spoken without words. Jesus is always going to encourage those small moves forward. He works in many small steps in our lives. He will protect and bring to fruition anyone who will let Him take our brokenness and weakness. If we will let ourselves be taken captive by Him, we will find freedom and fulfillment.
The Arnold Journey 