I didn't know this would ever be a struggle for me particularly when it came to children. How is it possible that I could be anything but gentle with a child? When my oldest hit toddlerhood and I had an infant in tow I found the nerves fraying as the number continuous hours of sleep dwindled and I had a harshness in my manner that I didn't know I was capable of. It was humbling in the "brings you to your knees" variety. During our years in Nepal I had the gift of extra hands in the house which made for a welcome escape valve when needed and I found my level of anger and frustration with my kids dropped dramatically. I knew when I returned to real life, a dirty kitchen, loads of laundry and multiple simultaneous requests from my sweet little hoodlums that being gentle could be a challenge. Asking God to help me be gentle ... today, is a daily request.
My little mental mantra is "gently, gently, gently" when I respond to the tantrum, the irrational demand or just general misbehavior. I don't get it right all the time but I can't help but think the long term payoff if is important. Kids don't always remember what we say (really?!) but I know they remember how they feel when we are with them.
"But let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near."
-Phil. 4:5
"I learned that it is the weak who are cruel, and that gentleness is to be expected only from the strong."
-Leo Rosten
