Gentleness born of Wisdom

Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.  James 3:13

Read about wisdom here.

How can there be two sages and mentors under one roof?  It is a miraculous and lavish blessing and I truly don't know if I would have grown as I have in the last twenty years without the companionship (and counsel) of these folks who have shepherded me.

The wife of the guy described in the previous posting is no bigger than a minute.  Her deep blue eyes are timeless.  Her gait has a spring to it that belies her age.  And when she speaks, her words convey the truth spoken in love.  In fact, her presence is the embodiment of an iron fist nestled in a velvet glove.  I have never heard her speak badly about anybody, even when they were behaving like spoiled, fractious children.  Still, I have never heard her withhold clear statements of what was really going on.

There is a gentleness in her that extends hospitality in the deepest sense.  In her presence you know that you are being seen and heard and known for who you are.  You also know that she sees whatever  potential there is for you and your relationship to be whole, beautiful and a manifestation of LIFE.  She focuses upon possibilities rather than limitations.

I remember a particularly difficult time in my life when nothing seemed positive or laudable.  My negativity was pricked by the (apparent) good fortunes of others.  My difficulties were legitimate and I was clearly on a run of bad luck.  I was walking deeper into a chasm of self pity.

My mentor listened lovingly to my laments -- at least for a while.  But then she looked deeply into my heart with those velvety (but solid) words.  She said:  Pamela, stop looking sideways.  Keep your eye on Jesus, and DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO.

She reminded me that looking sideways at what others have keeps me stuck in a quagmire of envy and competition.

 Fixating on others blinds me to the blessed strength and wisdom that is being given to me by God that applies to my own situation.  When I move with the flow of God's abundant grace given to me in the context of my own reality, I too can be be courageous and gentle.
I too can love with a boldness grounded in truth.

I hope to be -- I want to be -- like her when I grow up.