Northport Linden (pastel) by Polly Castor
“Once in a while we meet a gentle person. Gentleness is a virtue hard to find in a society that admires toughness and roughness. We are encouraged to get things done and to get them done fast, even when people get hurt in the process. Success, accomplishment, and productivity count. But the cost is high. There is no place for gentleness in such a milieu.
“Gentle is the one who does “not break the crushed reed, or snuff the faltering wick.” Gentle is the one who is attentive to the strengths and weaknesses of the other and enjoys being together more than accomplishing something. A gentle person treads lightly, listens carefully, looks tenderly, and touches with reverence. A gentle person knows that true growth requires nurture, not force.
“Let’s dress ourselves with gentleness. In our tough and often unbending world, our gentleness can be a vivid reminder of the presence of God among us.”
by Henri Nouwen
Luscious Lupine (pastel) by Polly Castor
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1 Comment
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Your post about Gentleness is so true. I’m afraid that being a gentle person in this society we live in only brings about bullying by others. Probably because they see it as being weak, rather than kind and loving. I am so sad what our world has become in this era we are living. Only God knows what’s ahead for our world. But having voices like yours and others certainly helps. I love the Luscious Lupine pastel you made. Your life and actions speak for all of us. Thank you.
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