Once in a while we meet a gentle person. Gentleness is a virtue hard to find in a society that admires toughness and roughness. We are encouraged to get things done and to get them done fast, even when people get hurt in the process. Success, accomplishment, and productivity count. But the cost is high. There is no place for gentleness in such a milieu.
Gentle is the one who does “not break the crushed reed, or snuff the faltering wick” (Matthew 12:20). Gentle is the one who is attentive to the strengths and weaknesses of the other and enjoys being together more than accomplishing something. A gentle person treads lightly, listens carefully, looks tenderly, and touches with reverence. A gentle person knows that true growth requires nurture, not force. Let’s dress ourselves with gentleness. In our tough and often unbending world our gentleness can be a vivid reminder of the presence of God among us.
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February 7, 2007 at 12:11 pm
writeathome
Gentleness is part of the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5 and something I would like to have more of in my life. Thank you for this post!
Carol
February 7, 2007 at 12:29 pm
helenl
Me, too, Carol. The only way we get it is through obedince to God.
February 7, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Dave
“A gentle person knows that true growth requires nuture, not force.”
That line has gone straight to my heart. I have been dealing with a difficult situation with someone from my fellowship and it has made me realise that I need to be more open to their needs.
Praise God for this post. Thank you.
February 7, 2007 at 3:47 pm
helenl
Thanks for dropping by, Dave. Glad the post was helpful.
February 9, 2007 at 4:54 pm
earthpal
That is a lovely little ditty. I am always warmed by gentleness and gentle people. Sometimes people tell me I’m gentle, especially patients at the hospital where I work. But sometimes, I’m not so gentle…I lose my temper and I really don’t like myself at these times.
Lovely words Helen. Even to me – a non-believer. Henri Nouwen has made some remarkably intuitive and heart-warming observational comments. I’d never heard of him until your blog introduced him to me.
Thanks.
February 9, 2007 at 4:58 pm
helenl
Hi Earthpal. Glad you liked the post. Nouwen speaks to us where we are, not where we think we ought to be. He speaks with us, not to or for us.