An "Aha!" moment...

This really struck me in an interview I was reading today. I've been thinking off and on over the past few weeks about have a "gentle and quiet spirit" and about how "gentleness" is to be a characteristic (ie. fruit) of anyone growing to be more like Christ through his Spirit.

Gentleness implies tempered strength. Babies aren't gentle---babies are weak. But when an adult who has the strength to crush the baby instead cradles them in their arms, that's gentleness.

The person being interviewed goes on to say, "That's what God has called us to be as women. Strength under God's control."

I'm a strong woman. And most people know that about me. In fact, I have made far too many people far too painfully aware of my strength. Strength is a tool, and it is something to be cultivated, appreciated, valued and admired. But much, much too often I am prone to (wo)man handle rather than cradle.

By God's grace, may this fruit of gentleness be as, or more, prominent in my life than my strength.