One Word At A Time: Gentleness
Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 7:00AM MAD21 By MAD21
For someone who has ADHD, the concept of gentleness is a little foreign. Considering the high energy we usually have at any given moment, it's not something we experience very often because it requires us to slow down. That being said, because it is a rare occasion, when it does happen, at least for me, they become some of my most treasured memories.
Almost a year ago, I shared one of these moments in a post called, "Moments That Touch Your Soul." It had been a crazy day with one of the most spectacular thunder storms I've ever experienced. It's not a day that my kids and I will soon forget. But after all the excitement and scariness of that day, it ended with a very gentle, heart-felt moment with my youngest:
Another of my favorite parts to our family's daily routine is long after the girls have been asleep and my husband and I are going to bed. I always go in to each of our girls' rooms, give them a soft kiss on their head, tell them I love them, and ask God's protection over them one last time. As I lay over my three-year-old tonight, in the most soft, sleepy little voice she looks up at me and says, "Mama, thunder all gone?" I answer, "Yes, baby. Thunder all gone." I gently kiss her forehead as she closes her eyes, quietly sighs and hugs her Teddy a little closer. I tell her I love her and ask God to protect her and help her sleep. I nearly burst into tears before I even left her room.
I don't know why this moment touched me the way it did. Only God knows why they affect us the way they do. But I think one of the reasons God gives us children is to show us a glimpse of how He sees us. I am thankful for the many things God has taught me in my life, but it's unbelievable the amazing things He has taught me through my children.
One thing is for sure, I'm am so thankful that there is a God who, like a loving parent, will sit with me through the storms of life and will still be there when it's all over.
In true ADHD form, the first thing I think of when considering God and gentleness, I think of the Genie from the Disney movie Aladdin. When Aladdin first finds him in the Cave of Wonders and they are talking about all the rules and what wishes he is able to grant, Aladdin learns about Genie's limitations. Genie says in a large , commanding voice, "Super-phenomenal cosmic power!!..." Then in a little, silly, small voice he says, "... itty bitty living space."
I think of this not because he is discussing his limitations, but because, just like the day of thunder with my kids being exciting, loud, and high energy, they both end with quiet, calm words.
God has no limitations. He can be huge, mighty, angry, loud and all-powerful. But he is also in the small, quiet, soothing, calm, loving and gentle moments.
I think it's one of the gifts God gives to us because he knows we are all so busy and rarely slow down. There are important things that happen in those quiet, gentle moments. It's yet another way to experience God at a deep level where only He resides.
Not only is it another way to allow God to speak to us, it's also an opportunity to share that gift with other people. How easy it is for us to express our opinions and tell other people what to do, but we need to remember that in all our dealings with other people, we also need to have an element of gentleness. It was obviously an important thing for us to have since God gave it to us, we need to remember to work for that gentleness in all that we do.
"Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." (1 Peter 3:4)
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (Colossians 3:12)
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Proverbs 15:1)
"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." (Phillippians 4:5)
This post is a participant in a blog carnival over at Bridget Chumbley's One Word at a Time.
Be sure to go and check out what everyone else wrote on: Gentleness.
Faith, Gentleness, One Word At A Time in One Word At A Time
Reader Comments (9)
Even from an ADHD perspective, this is a gentle post. "Mama, thunder all gone?" sounds just like us talking to God.
Amen. :)
The gentleness of the Father always amazes me. In the many "thunder all gone?" moments of my life, I'm glad He has taught me about being gentle. Thanks for sharing your heart.
Peace,
Jay
What a beautiful moment to share with us, Ginny. ADHD, OCD, XYZ... no matter what, this is a wonderful post on gentleness, written by a very gentle (and special) person.
Ginny, you are an awesome Mom.
Ginny,
You're one of the gentlest internetters I know.... ADHD or not!
Your gentleness is known to all -- lovely post. And I particularly appreciate your comments about the gift of children in our lives.
My daughters are young women now -- but my most treasured moment of the day was slipping into their rooms at night, kissing their foreheads and asking God to watch over them as they slept. Thank you for the memory trigger!
Thank you!
What a sweet post.
You all are awesome. Thank you so much for the encouraging words. I needed that this week!