Sometimes, the smallest words are the most challenging. As he closes his letter to the church in Philippi, Paul urges all of us to “let your gentleness be known to all.” Gentleness is not the challenge in Paul’s charge. We all have gentleness to share with children and puppies and people we love. The challenge comes when Paul writes “all.”

Can we summon gentleness when we’re anxious, angry, agitated, or afraid? Do we have gentleness for people who provoke us? The friend sitting across from me at Panera said, “It feels like you’re getting angry with me.” My gentleness, for a heartbeat, had left the table.

Photo by allison blakeley