Where is the Gentleness?

Have no doubt that gentleness is everywhere we look but yet there is still not enough. We have seen gentleness in such strange places as a battlefield or how a homeless person cares for a dog. We see gentleness in how mothers care for there babies and how spouses care for each other. We can see it in how a young child approaches a beautiful flower and we can see it in in a father as he teaches a youngster about dangers.

There truly is so much gentleness in the world.We who see it are usually touched by it and certainly those who receive it are touched by gentleness. And truly I tell you that those you act in gentleness are given a blessing here in this world.

So where is the emphasis on gentleness? It is just lacking. We see it but not enough. The father tells the young child to be gentle with the newborn or the puppy. He hopefully also shows this gentle way of acting. And if the parents are good they teach gentleness toward each other that the child will learn to copy. But have you ever seen or heard of a class in gentleness? Have you ever seen a report on news about gentleness or even read about it in a magazine of newspaper? Is there a gentleness seminar or self help group?

Let us look at gentleness.

It is tempting to write out a definition here but that would not really add to the discussion of gentle. So let us look at ways in which we are gentle.

Voice: How easy it is to be loud. How easy it is to be gruff. How easy it is to be short. And how easy it is to be rude. It is said that the words we use are what overflows from our heart. We can start a journey toward a more gentle self simply by changing the words we use and the tone in which we use them. I once studied under a man who was a trial attorney and contrary to our general notions of the sharp and cantankerous tones and attitudes we would associate with such men he was gentle. He did not win every legal little battle but he won the hearts of the juries and judges he encountered and therefor was a winner of cases and the heart. And I have seen preachers who were bombastic and sharp with their attitudes and they lost the hearts of their followers.

How much more so is it important for the teacher or the parent to be gentle. How much more so can mean and spiteful words hurt than with a child.

We must be gentle in order to teach gentleness and the best way to start is with the voice.

Touch: A gentle caress. A gentle kiss and a warm handshake. Of course the gentle hand on the shoulder or arm are all great ways of showing and being gentle. There are different types of hugs and the best is the gentle hug. We can all do the bear hug. We can all do the hug and pats on the back. And we can all do the fake kiss and "arms length" hug so as not to wrinkle clothes or get to close.

But can we do the gentle hug? Yes we all can and should more often. We just need to set our intentions to do it. Can anyone even state that a gentle hug did not make them feel better no matter what? And that brings us to receiving gentleness.

One of the finest ways in which to give gentleness is to receive it with grace and returned gentleness. How we receive a gentle touch or a caressing voice is critical to our own gentleness.

I cannot speak for you but this author has often rejected gentleness when in a fit of some sort. "Just leave me alone!". Sometimes our own frustrations get the better of us and we fall into a rut so bad that we reject gentleness. Sometimes our anger at someone makes us not willing to accept gentleness and this is sad indeed.

When given gentleness we need to slow down and breath. We need to let ourselves be consumed by the love that goes with gentleness. Yes sometimes we just want to be mad and all uptight. But not really. So we need to get over our big bad selves and show the gentleness in return and make it a great love fest. If that sounds silly then too bad for you. If it sounds good then you are a gentle person who may just need a gentle reminder.

There still is not enough gentleness in this world. How about strangers. Can we do that? Can we be gentle to another in a rough and tumble world. Just think about the check out lines that are creeping up on us during this abhorrent shopping season. Can we be gentle and kind in these places. Can we be gentle to those in front and behind? Can we give warm and fuzzy smiles and greetings to clerks and assistants in the malls? Can we exude gentleness and it's brother kindness?

A fun thing happened just yesterday. My four and a half year old came into the kitchen and got to close to the stove that I was cooking on. Of course this is a big no no. I was furious with him. But for some crazy reason I knelt down and gently told him again that this was not good and he was not to get close to the stove. He in return gently touched my arm and promised not to do it again. Gentleness begets gentleness and understanding.

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