I love to watch children out in nature. They are fascinated by everything from bugs, to bunnies and butterflies. They want to capture it and take it home. How many times did Mama let us have a Mason jar with holes popped in the top.
It was one of our earliest lessons in "being gentle" that I can remember. Now, a child's version of gentleness can vary quite a bit. While many animals seem to be instinctive about gentleness, it has been my experience that humans have to be taught to be gentle.
What a little one calls "giving the kitty or bunny a hug" might feel more like strangulation. "Be gentle." is something young parents say over and over, especially when a new baby arrives home to a toddler sibling.
Gentle hands observed pull at our heartstrings. The internet is full of videos of sweet moments between little ones and their pets... and their siblings.
As grown-ups, we love the nurse or doctor with gentle (warm) hands. We take great care when handling fragile things like glass, wounded animals, broken-hearted children, and antiquities. Gentle hands often are the best approach for some tasks.
I love this snippet from today's Bible Reading from Bible Study group. I struck just the right chord. He sees us at our best and he sees us in our brokenness. He will not crush us in our weakness. Evil is real in this world, but so is the refuge we find in Him.
"He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious." -Matthew 12:20
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