One of the Fruits of the Spirit that we are learning about and teaching this year at our International Playgroup is gentleness, also translated as meekness. Often these words are equated with weakness. However, the original term found in the Bible referred to a horse that was tamed, still having it’s full strength but now acted tempered and controlled. It is not the weak who need to act with gentleness, but the strong.
Sometimes it is so easy to be gentle with our sweet children. But how easy it when dealing with a strong-willed toddler or a defiant teenager who knows how to “push our buttons”? It is our challenge to model gentleness in our words and actions, and is especially important for us to be mindful of it when we are frustrated, tired, or just trying to get the laundry hung and dinner made! Gentleness in a parent is not about letting a child get his or her way, it is about remaining the authority without being harsh.
Home is the training ground for all other relationships in life. What we model and teach our children when they are young will stay with them throughout their lives. A parent has strength and authority over their child to provide discipline and guidance, but only when it is tempered with compassion and tenderness will the instruction be well received.
Gentleness starts in our home with our family. Our strength expressed in gentleness with our spouse and our children will make a positive impact both now and in the future. May we be strong enough practice gentleness.
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