Choose gentleness

September 14, 2021 | 15 comments

I choose gentleness… Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

~ Max Lucado

15 thoughts on “Choose gentleness”

  1. Words of wisdom, reminds me of the words in hymn 315.

    Speak gently, it is better far / To rule by love than fear; / Speak gently, let no harsh word mar / The good we may do here.
    (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 315:1)
    Thank you for the good reminder!

  2. How I needed this! It seems when things are most dire, the devil would have me force a self-righteous-mortal-me on the scene and crowbar out evil. Oy vey! But Science and Health teaches that evil is neither person, place, nor thing. It’s illusion. What utter foolishness to crowbar out an illusion!

    Gentleness sees through the veil. Gentleness beholds “the perfect man.” moving in perfection, every thing about him ever harmonious and beloved.

    Evil says a good mortal mind needs to forcefully correct a bad one. Says who? How good is a mortal mind that beholds evil in another and grabs a crowbar? Ten times in her writings Mary Baker Eddy states bluntly, “There is NO mortal mind.”. I must get this ‘me’ entirely out of the scene!

    Fact: “All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation.” (Needing NO correcting!!) That’s an all-governing omnipotent truth effortlessly demolishing the lies and the liars. The ever-present eternal harmony becomes visible. Gently. Like the dawn.

    “That individual is the best healer who asserts himself the least, and thus becomes a transparency for the divine Mind, who is the only physician; the divine Mind is the scientific healer.”
    (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 59:26)

    1. Thank you so much, Diane! What powerful, thought-centering words to start the day. Thank you, Evan, for the blessings of this forum!

    2. Thank you for this SV Evan, so encouraging!

      Thank you Diane! My goodness that is a treatment in itself, every sentence worth quiet pondering and embracing.

      Beannachd

      Shelagh

    3. Diane!! Wow!! You spoke to my heart. Thank you. I really needed this. (Love the apt Max Lucado quote as well. Remarkable timing on this. Almost like it’s intentional )

      1. Yes, Angela, your comment reminds me of the verse from Hymn 9 that says, “He knows the angels that you need, and sends them to your side, to comfort, guard, and guide.”
        How greatly our world needs gentleness and love these days!
        Blessings of peace to all!

    4. Diane, I was inspired by the clarity and truth in your comments today. Really appreciated, “What utter foolishness to crowbar out an illusion.” And loved the Oh Vey. Seems so many things going on these days may cause us to use that term, but there is also some humor in that expression.

      Remember to be gentle with yourself as well, as you endeavor to “get this ‘me’ entirely out of the scene.”

      Much love and blessings of gentleness to you all!

  3. Then we all can be that “Gentle beam of living Love” as the Christ child is once again born in us, through us, as the Divine reflection, God’s representative.
    Thank you for this mornings “still waters” that ends all human strife.

  4. Yep, right on Evan. As many times that I have reacted in anger or in frustration, it has almost always been wrong. I see anger as a bellwether to our ability to conceive of the truth and wait patiently on divine guidance. Our personal storms from within just close us off to the spiritual truth surrounding us and blinds us to spiritual understanding of our experience.

  5. This is sooooo good and powerful! Also love what Yvonne posted. I so appreciate this blog Evan! You are amazing to do this for us!

  6. One more thought . . . I’ve been reading “The Gentle Art of Blessing” by Pierre Pradervand, and find it totally inspiring and helpful along these lines < : )

    1. Carolyne that is a wonderful book. I pick it up often and just read through a few pages, very uplifting. Pierre was very involved with Christian Science for many years and you can detect that influence very clearly in his writing.

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