Gentleness

“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” – Philippians 4:5

In his autobiography “Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections on and Off the Court” former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden begins his book with the following story: 
“My dad, Joshua Wooden, was a strong man in one sense but a gentle man. While he could lift heavy things men half his age couldn't lift, he would also read poetry to us each night after a day working in the fields raising corn, hay, wheat, tomatoes, and watermelons. We had a team of mules named Jack and Kate on our farm. Kate would often get stubborn and lie down on me when I was plowing. I couldn't get her up, no matter how roughly I treated her. Dad would see my predicament and walk across the field until he was close enough to say, ''Kate.'' then she would get up and start working again. He never touched her in anger.
It took me a long time to understand that even a stubborn mule responds to gentleness.”

There is strength in gentleness when we are firmly rooted in Christ.  Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His example of gentleness and seek to be more like the Savior.

“Gentleness includes such enviable qualities as having strength under control, being calm and peaceful when surrounded by a heated atmosphere, emitting a soothing effect on those who may be angry or otherwise beside themselves, and possessing tact and gracious courtesy that causes others to retain their self-esteem and dignity.” – Charles Swindoll

God’s Word: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23