February 12 Attentive Care

Esther 2:11 And every day Mordecai walked in front of the court of the harem to learn how Esther was and what was happening to her.
 
I like this Scripture because of the way it demonstrates Mordecai’s commitment to his cousin.
    Every day – not every other day, not periodically – but every day Mordecai walked into the area where Esther lived to inquire of her. Perhaps Mordecai was so attentive to Esther because of the realities of harem life. Certainly as a court official he knew what happened to all women in a harem. Likely he was concerned for her state of mind and her general emotions. Perhaps he was giving Esther a secure love.
    Reading through Esther one can imagine that Esther would know of Mordecai’s faithful inquiries. Messages were relayed from outside to inside and in to out. People, perhaps Esther’s guardian Hegai, would have told her of Mordecai’s presence. She would feel secure knowing her faithful cousin was close by and concerned for her well-being.
    Parents, do you desire your children trust your love for them? Of course you do. Then one way you can help them know this is to faithfully inquire of them each day. Find out what pleases them. Learn what is on their minds. Take time to simply listen. Do so with a heart to care for them, to love them, to encourage them and to validate them.
    In his attentiveness to Esther, Mordecai demonstrated Jesus’ Good Shepherd intentions toward us. We must be this way with all of our relationships. Attentive love as the Lord has given to you will help form hearts attentive to the Lord.
 
Prayer: Lord, help me to lovingly pay attention to those I love. Help me to check in with them to see how they are doing. Help me to love them in the ways you love me. In Jesus’ name, amen.