Gentleness

Gentleness is a quality we often associate with loved ones. We directly associate a gentle nature with grandmothers and grandfathers of a "kinder and gentler" era. Will you be a gentle and kind hearted elder within your family? Can we survive in this hard world by being gentle and kind hearted? There are many who teach management skills that insist there is no place for gentleness and kindness when dealing with subordinates. Does this attitude transcend the workplace into our family lives? Do we treat our children with gentleness and kindheartedness? Do we treat our spouses with gentleness and kindheartedness? Have the stresses of our lives muddled the work and home environments? Lots of questions, not so many answers that affirm an effort toward kindness and gentleness. Our demands for excellence and submission seem to preclude gentleness and kindheartedness.
Paul, in his letters to churches, exhorts them to be kind and gentle to one another. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul says in 3:10, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.". And in his letter to the Corinthians, in chapter 13 he explains the qualities of love, he tells God's people that love is patient, kind, not easily angered and that love never fails. It is these reminders that we need every day.
What a delicate balance we have made for ourselves! We harden ourselves to insure that this cruel world does not squash us and by so doing we lose sight of the importance of kindness and gentleness that is essential to demonstrate our love for one another. Paul stays on message to the Ephesians in Chapter 4, "Be completely humble and gentle, bearing one another in love". And to the Galatians 5:22, he says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.".
Do you suppose that the kindly and gentle elders of yesterday had a widely different perspective than we do today? Is that perspective of our own making as it was for Paul's correspondents? Are we simply reacting to the way others treat us and lack the courage to put ourselves "out there" by being kind and gentle. Given that an animal beaten with a stick seemingly has two choices, cower and flee or attack viciously; given that same choice, how do we react? Most of us envision ourselves battle hardened and ready to attack. This is the choice that most often results in two prominent casualties, kindness and gentleness. Will you be remembered for your kindness? Will your gentle spirit exude the love that brings us all together?
Remember to forgive, be grateful, love God, love one another and be kind and gentle.