Go Gently

"Go gently through this day, keeping your eyes on me."  

Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

I remember when our kids were little trying to teach them the meaning of the word "gentle".  Any time they would be around babies, younger children, or around animals I would instruct them to "be gentle" or "touch gently".   The idea was to keep them, whether by enthusiasm or ignorance, from causing harm to others. I didn't want them to frighten young children by running over them, to harm babies by squashing them, or to overdo it when loving animals. It was something I found that had to be taught to excited, adventurous toddlers.

I remember once when David was two years old and Sarah was three months old, not knowing exactly how to play with his new baby sister, David decided to sit on her like a horse! I heard lots of squealing and laughter, came around the corner to find him seated on Sarah's belly. Of course I panicked, screamed, and caused everyone else to start crying!  David didn't realize the harm he could have caused his baby sister, Sarah was too small to defend herself as she struggled to breath, and I just exacerbated the situation by frightening everyone involved. This was the beginning of the life lessons in gentleness!

Today, I read the quote above in Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, and it just seemed to stick with me. How often do I go gently into my day? Have I EVER gone gently into a new day? I guess in all those life lessons, I never applied the idea of gentleness to myself. So many times I "go crashing" through the day or I "go racing" through the day.  Sometimes I hurt other people because I forget to go gently. Sometimes I miss God completely because I forget to slow down and focus my eyes and thoughts on Him.

God reminded me today to "go gently".  Gentleness isn't just a lesson for toddlers. It's a better way to live.

"Blessed are those who are gentle.

They will inherit the earth"

Matthew 5:5

"Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. 

I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest."

Matthew 11:29

"But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, 
gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere."

James 3:17