"Let your gentleness be evident to all."
"Let your gentleness be evident to all."
I was frustrated. As I put my toddler son to bed last night, I was frustrated that he refused to lay still for a diaper change. Some days I may be talented, but securing a diaper on a jumping toddler who was singing at the top of his lungs was a skill I did not possess at that moment. After securing the diaper on him and rushing through story time, I began recounting my frustrations of the day in my head.
"Let your gentleness be evident to all."
I was frustrated that supper didn't turn out right. I was frustrated that my to do list remained un-done. I was frustrated the fresh baked muffins were not only spit out but also thrown on the floor. I was frustrated that I was frustrated. Anyone have days, weeks, moments, seasons like this?
"Let your gentleness be evident to all." The Holy Spirit was relentless with reminding me of these words from Philippians 4:5. At that moment, I was feeling far from gentle. I was frustrated, mad, tired, worn.
Then my son looked me in the eyes as he was about to wail a stuffed animal at me. The look in his eyes begged me to respond to him. The look also seemed to challenge me like, "What are you going to do momma? Huh?" This time I followed the Holy Spirit's prompting. I reminded my son calmly that we don't throw things at people and redirected him by asking if he'd like to pray with mommy. He softened as I softened. We prayed, and as he drifted off to sleep, I could feel a few layers of my frustration fall off.
Let's reflect on the verse again: Philippians 4:5 says, "Let your gentleness be evident to all." The Lord calls us to demonstrate gentleness to those people who are kind to us, wait... Nope. That verse said to all. Ugh. The Lord calls us to be gentle to all. Some days that feels like a lot to ask. However, let's ponder this. On days when our gentleness has run out, how are we supposed to let that be evident to all?
The answer my friend is the same as where our gentleness comes from on days when it is overflowing: our gentleness comes from the Lord. Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit the Holy Spirit gives: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Did you catch that? The Holy Spirit gives us gentleness.
Confession here: I've been saving the best part of the Philippians verse for the end of this post. Philippians 4:5 says "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Now days like yesterday, I was not thrilled to think that the Lord was near when I reflected on how frustrated and un-gentle I was. Let me tell you though, my friend, there is grace for those days/months/moments/seasons. Our Lord is not far from us. He is not out of reach. He's gentle and he's here: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).
Now those are words that refresh my frustrated heart and renew my tired mind. Jesus is gentle and welcomes me to him even when I'm not being very gentle. So today regardless of your current circumstances, whether frustrating or joyful, sorrowful or peaceful, remember to let your gentleness that comes from the Holy Spirit be evident to all. . . including yourself :)
You are worth more than mediocre. You are worth exceptional health!
Caitlyn J. Hanson
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