Unforgettable Gentleness

To me, gentleness is a soft breeze that fills my lungs with fresh air. Gentleness is God holding us in the palm of his hand. It is Him whispering to us saying that He is near. And to me it also was my mother brushing my hair. I know it sounds odd, but the rare occasions that my late Mother brushed my unruly hair are treasured in my heart for they felt just like a soothing balm straight from God through her hands.

Extreme gentleness was the only way to describe the way she’d work the brush through my tangled curls. Grooming was not my specialty as a little girl. I’d rather let my massive hair fly freely in the tropical wind than spend hours of tedious sitting while someone tried to manage the unmanageable. Everyone who ever tried to get my hair under some sort of control ended up pulling it while jerking my head around. That’s why I used to run every time I saw anyone approaching me with a brush in her hands…specially my sister! Anyone, except my Mother, that is. I remember the sensation clearly even now. Sitting by my Mom’s feet, allowing her gentleness work in me through my hair…it is hard to explain…it was a God sent.

Today, years after her departure from this earth, God has sent me a replacement to enjoy such tenderness in the hands of my seven-year old Dylan. Once in a while, I’d be sitting at my desk working on the computer and he’ll come, armed with my brush and comb. Out of the blue, but always on cue at the moment when I need a tangible dose of gentleness, Dylan would show up behind me to brush my hair. He’d begin by softly pulling the “scrunchy” that holds my pony tail to then start working in my hair just as gently as my Mom used to do years ago. Of course I am immediately transported back to when I was a little girl and my son’s gentleness turns into that soothing balm, straight from above to calm my soul.

To me gentleness is the fruit of the Spirit that allows God’s children to communicate their love to others. It is the fruit that the Spirit grows in us to give a practical, tangible and sensory sample and an idea of what God’s loving nature may feel like. He grows gentleness in the hearts of His children so they can express His love to others in a way that has a lasting impact in the soul of the weary. It is a gift that God gives humanity through His children. I pray I remember the power of gentleness. I pray the Holy Spirit grows and matures this fruit in me for it is not for me, but for those around me to enjoy and be blessed by it. It is God’s unforgettable gift to humanity through us.

But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 1 Thessalonians 2: 7