Don’t be soft!

Why on earth not?

When soft is good.

Soft cushions to sink into as I read a good book, pliable to accommodate my form.

The soft skin of my son’s cheek impossible not to stroke and kiss.

Fruit that is ripe and ready to please, done with being hard and unwelcoming.

The luxury of fluffy white towels waiting patiently on the bed in a hotel room.

A heart as absorbent as a sponge to the word of God that he generously soaks us with.

Hearts that are willing to go on relating softly even under a hard protective layer of thick skin.

But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear. They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the Lord of hosts.

Zechariah 7:11-12