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The Communication of Gentleness

Before we begin to walk, we learn how to communicate. We enter this world not knowing where to start. Before we crawled or walked anywhere, we communicated through crying, whining, burping, and accidents. I saw everything Tasha did for the girls when they were infants. Sometimes, they gave gestures to communicate their needs; sometimes, Tasha already knew their needs and provided for them. That sounds too divine.

There is a reason that we have fond memories of our parents and intense emotions that are beyond explanation. Children know who they should run to for support and care. It would be impossible for them to receive the same care from strangers. John 10:4-5 “And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” The Shepherd was there from the day of birth. On that day, the lamb heard his voice and tone, received his sent, and received his care and direction from that day forth. So, there was no way the sheep would follow anyone else.  

We knew we were loved by how we were looked at, spoken to, cared for, and handled—handled with care when we were looking and behaving as innocent as an angel, cared for when we were sick, and sometimes unknowingly misbehaving. We communicated our needs the best and only way we knew how, and we received gentleness in return.

This gentleness comes from the Lord. Phil 4:5 says, “Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.” We give our gentleness to all men as God has given His grace and love, Titus 2:11, John 3:16. Your gentleness may not be received, but make sure it is given.

Without God's gentleness, we would not have survived our infancy, childhood, and adolescent years. We would not have reached the point where we ask what we must do to be saved (Acts 2:38) without God’s forbearance or gentleness.

God is a good God. His gentleness has made us great. Psalm 18:35 “You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great.”

©April 7, 2024, Courtney Henderson