The God Who Bends Low to Listen

Do you ever feel other women have it so much more together than you do? Do you think you fall short at almost everything in comparison? From being better organized and goal-centered,  being more fashionable, and even being better at prayer, sometimes it is a struggle to keep from feeling like you are falling behind or falling flat. It is in times like these that you learn to appreciate that we serve a God who bends low to listen to our every prayer, no matter what stage of life we find ourselves in.

I listened intently to the woman author and bible study teacher on a favorite podcast. She vividly described an intimate moment in her prayer life. She talked in depth about having chosen a specific scripture to take with her to converse with God about her problem. I instantly pictured her prayer as being all tied up in a beautiful bow to offer God.  I also imagine her beautifully dressed, with every hair in place and perfectly adorned, as she asked God to answer her carefully crafted prayer. 

Later, after a tumultuous morning when I poured out my own prayer, I felt messy and undone. Instead of a chosen verse, I poured out raw emotions and the broken fragments of my heart. The words I spilled out didn’t feel pretty at all. I said, “Lord, I don’t look anything like the Proverbs 31 woman like others, and most certainly not like your beautiful daughter on the podcast. I don’t know what verse to pray, nor do I have a tidy bow to wrap up my prayer either.” It was then that my words ran out, and all I had left were the tears I let fall at His feet.

As I lay lifeless in the aftermath of my meltdown, the Holy Spirit whispered a verse tenderly over me and graciously wrapped my heart in the most beautiful bow of all called grace. The words of Psalms 34:18 (NIV) floated as gently as a feather into the creases of my soul. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” At that moment, it felt like that verse had been written personally for me. I felt held, seen, and comforted for the remainder of my prayer. I left my prayer time knowing that everything was going to be OK.

Life isn’t always neat and tidy moments, but many are raw and vulnerable. We don’t always have all the answers, and we are often at a loss to come up with a plan. Instead of sitting before Him in full assurance of faith, we come humbly, bringing our doubts and fears. We toss, turn, and wring our hands while calling out to God for His help.

And friend, He does.

Over and over again, a Holy God clothed in righteousness leads us to awe and wonder with the miracle called grace and mercy. This loving God, so full of compassion for the lowly, leads us to awe of His majesty and glory, bends down low to listen to our hearts, and catches our tears in His bottle. He strengthens us when we are weak and refreshes us when we are weary. He meets us in our doubts and fears and reassures us with His unfailing promises.

He then carries us up from the lowest valleys to walk with him on the mountain tops. We are invited to walk in heavenly places where the angels desire to walk but don’t know the way. We experience what it is like to lean upon our beloved, leaving the cares of life behind.

I returned to Jesus’ feet again in the afternoon. I took my verse with me to confidently lift up in prayer this time. Every hair now looked to be in place, and my heart felt refreshed. I whispered the verse to the One who loves me as a Father, cherishes me as His friend, and walks with me through life as the lover of my soul. I whispered words of gratitude to my Heavenly Father.  I thanked him for bending low to listen to my every prayer, staying near me even when I am hurting, and meeting me where I am.

We are never more lovely than when we surrender our hearts to our heavenly Father. We are invited to come as we are, and He always has a place prepared for us.  We are never seen as less when we come brokenhearted and undone. Instead, we find that in His presence, we find all we need to be all He has created us to be. Whether we come in full assurance of faith or on shaky knees, we will always find Him waiting to listen to our words, thoughts, and even our tears.