Thoughts of Grace

Good Morning

And the servant of the Lord must not strive;
but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
2Timothy 2:24

All human heats hunger for tenderness.
We are made for love–
not only to love, but to be loved.
Harshness pains us.
Ungentleness touches our sensitive spirits
as frost touches the flowers.
It stunts the growth of all lovely things.
Gentleness is like a genial summer to our life.
Beneath its warm, nourishing influence
beautiful things in us grow.
There are many people
who have special need for tenderness.
We cannot know what secret burdens
many of those about us are carrying,
what hidden griefs burn like fires
in the hearts of those with whom
we mingle in our common life.
Not all grief wears the outward garb of mourning;
faces ofttimes veil heavy hearts.
Many people who make no audible appeal for sympathy
yet crave tenderness–they certainly need it,
though they ask it not–
as they bow beneath their burden.
There is no weakness in such a yearning.
We remember how our Master himself
longed for expressions of love
when He was passing through
His deepest experiences of suffering,
and how bitterly He was disappointed
when His friends failed Him.
We can never do amiss in showing gentleness.
There is no day when it will be untimely;
there is no place where it will not find welcome.
It will harm no one,
and it may save some one or despair.
J.R. Miller

Bear one another’s burdens . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie