Gentle Mama
Gentleness is one of the most beautiful traits in a woman. I wrote in a long ago post about a conversation I overheard at a homeschool convention. A mama gave a harsh command to her child. The command was one word: “Kindness!!!” The tone of her voice made the word she spoke an empty one.
Gentleness makes a gentle mama’s words effective:
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1
I love the sweetness of what Jesus said about about the gentle mama and all other gentle people:
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5
The gentle mama’s gentleness does not make her weak. Gentleness isn’t weakness. Gentleness described Jesus when He came into Jerusalem as King. Gentleness is powerful.
“Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold your King is coming to you,
Gentle, and mounted on a donkey,
Even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”
Matthew 21:5
The gentle mama uses gentleness when she corrects someone, including her children.
Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass,
you who are spiritual, restore such a one
in a spirit of gentleness;
each one looking to yourself,
so that you too will not be tempted.
Galatians 6:1
The gentle mama reveals her wisdom. She uses that wisdom as she fulfills her many roles.
Who among you is wise and understanding?
Let him show by his good behavior his deeds
in the gentleness of wisdom.. . .
But the wisdom from above is first pure,
then peaceable, gentle,
reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits,
unwavering, without hypocrisy.
James 3:13,17
Gentleness is one of the traits of our Lord. He says we can learn it from Him. The result of learning it from Him gives us two things we long for: purpose and 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.
Matthew 11:29
Gentleness is one of God’s sweet gifts to His children. Gentleness is one of the gentle mama’s sweet gifts to her children.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control;
against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
I fear I have fallen in this area. I picture women whom I have met and have left an image in my mind of gentleness. I would love to be remembered for this character trait, this fruit. Thank you for the reminder to work on this… with God’s help!