Gentleness

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
    Plato

This week I want to explore the spiritual virtue of gentleness.  Gentleness and kindness are not qualities much admired in our society as a whole.  I think we want to admire people who are kind and gentle, but we have a hard time accepting the surrender required of this virtue.
Remember what Paul wrote about gentleness:

“Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness,”

Humility leads to gentleness.  When I know who I am I do not need to impose my opinion or my will upon another.  I can act out of a deep rootedness in God’s vision and welcome the other.  When I am gentle I am not afraid.  There is space for you and there is space for me.  I don’t have to make you small so that I can be large.
No, the gentle life is a life of hospitality and openness and delight in the accomplishments of those around me.
The gentle soul knows what she needs as well.  There is no pushing or striving in the gentle life, there is confidence and movement.
For me, a sign of the gentle life is the yield sign, and I experience this most often in lines at the store or post office.  I yield to the one who is anxious to get in line first.  I yield to the one who has two things when I have twenty.  I yield the right of way.
I don’t have to protect my status, because the status that is important to me cannot be removed by human power.
I am beloved of God. 
As Plato reminds us, we are all experiencing a battle of some sort.  An act of kindness could be a cease-fire for the other, if even for a moment.
Blessings,
Debra