Thursday, January 20, 2011

The Power of Gentleness


Gentleness is love in society. . . It is that cordiality of aspect and that soul of speech, which assure that kind and earnest hearts may still be met with here below. It is that quiet influence, which, like the scented flame of an alabaster lamp, fills many a home with light and warmth and fragrance altogether. It is the carpet, soft and deep, which, whilst it diffuses a look of ample comfort, deadens many a creaking sound. It is the curtain, which from many a beloved form wards off at once the summer's glow and the winter's wind. It is the pillow on which sickness lays its head and forgets half its misery, and to which death comes in a balmier dream. It is considerateness. It is tenderness of feeling. It is warmth of affection. It is promptitude of sympathy. It is love in all its depths and all its delicacy. It is every thing included in that matchless grace, the gentleness of Christ.

~ Dr. J. Hamilton

Oh, this brought tears to my eyes. Dear sweet gentle Jesus, please would you give this grace to me?


(Quote borrowed from 15 Minutes with God for Grandma, by Emilie Barnes.)

2 comments:

Karen Carlson said...

Maxine,I followed a link from the Elizabeth Prentiss blog and landed in this other beautiful blog of yours! I've perused several entries to my edification. This description of gentleness is both convicting to my own soul and also instructive. P.S. I love your choice of music on this blog. Very soothing.

Maxine said...

Karen, you have always been such an encouragement. Thanks for coming here to visit! This was once an active blog of mine, but I had neglected in for a couple of years. I'm trying to keep it up a bit more. Isn't this description of gentleness absolutely wonderful?