Being Kind and Gentle!

Ephesians 4:32 (The Message)

Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave us.

 As I was meditating on this scripture this morning, the words "be gentle with one another, sensitive" really spoke to my heart. I really like the Message translation and often use it in my blogs, so I was especially liked  this passage. Being gentle and sensitive! Oh my, I am reminded of so many times when it was either me or someone else I was talking with, how things could have been so much better, if I had been more sensitive. How aware are we when we are face to face with someone, often dear family or friends, that our minds are somewhere else or we just flat don't have time or even worse, we just don't care? And then the opportunity is gone forever to make a difference in that persons life. I have had experiences where I was the one that needed encouragement and yet had to defend myself in some way. Why can't we all just be gentle and sensitive? Why do we get in such a hurry that we forget to show grace to someone? Life has been very difficult for me the past year and it is not over, as long as we are breathing, we are in a battle. Lets remember who our enemy is, you know, the one who sets out to kill, steal and destroy from us every day! Not our family and friends! They are here for us! We may not agree on everything, but we aren't supposed to. We are all made unique and different! We may have been hurt by words or actions, but we simply cannot not dwell on it. . The One who forgave us so easily, is our example and is actually required of us to also forgive. Show grace and mercy as it was shown to us. And the next time, we have someone in our face, over the phone or even on the Internet, please remember to follow Christ in this area. I don't believe this is a suggestion, do you? I believe He is instructing us to be obedient, actually, our very peace and joy depends on it. We will always be on one side or the other! What ever we measure out, will be measured back to us!
I pray you will have a wonderful Mothers Day, and please remember to be kind and gentle!

I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me!