Gentleness and Strength...

Colossians 3:12

¹²Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

My friend and professor, Ralph Smith, had a saying posted on his office door at Wartburg Seminary: "Nothing so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength."

At this funeral, following his death in a car crash at the age of 44, these words were spoken in the homily, and reverberated around the seminary community, and former community, as a testament to who Ralph really was. In this physical form, he was strong and beautiful, had a wonderful laugh, intelligent and an attentive listener. He was outgoing but never brash with people. Strength and gentleness exemplified his mere presence.

I can no longer think of the word "gentleness" without attributing "strength" to its meaning.

When I hear these words of Paul, I am reminded that this is who God calls the community of the Colossians to be, this is who God calls us all to be, this is who God calls me to be.

In the midst of life, during trying times, I am often reminded to "stay strong." But seldom am I reminded to "stay gentle." It's easy for me, in trying moments, to pair anger with strength, or embrace a degree of stubbornness to be "strong" or "tough." But true strength is found in gentleness, and gentleness is true strength.

Thank you God, for my friend Ralph and his (all too brief) presence on this earth. Thank you for setting him as a reminder of who I am to be as well.