Thoughts for the Day

A soft tongue can break bones.
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbour’s house,
otherwise the neighbour will become weary of you and hate you.
Like a war club, a sword, or a sharp arrow
is one who bears false witness against a neighbour.
Like a bad tooth or a lame foot
is trust in a faithless person in time of trouble.
Like vinegar on a wound
is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
If your enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat;
and if they are thirsty, give them water to drink;
for you will heap coals of fire on their heads,
and the Lord will reward you.
The north wind produces rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Chapter 25 of Proverbs continues with one and two line images of good neighbourly behaviour, and warnings. Since Jesus taught us to love God and to love our neighbour we should perhaps stop a moment today and listen to two examples of where gentleness is not weakness, but rather gentleness wins the day.

The first proverb highlighted is a paradox that doesn't seem to work. How can can a soft tongue possibly break bones? But in fact gentleness can have immense power. John Wooden a US basketball coach described something that happened when he was a young boy. "I was at a gravel pit with my father. They had a team of horses and were attempting to pull a load up a steep road. A young man driving the horses was loud and abusive. In response, the animals were agitated, worked against each other and couldn’t pull the load. With a gentle voice and a gentler touch, my dad calmed the horses and walked them forward with the load. It was an incredible reminder that gentleness can fix in a moment what an hour of shouting or anger fails to achieve.” In the Epistle to the Ephesians Paul teaches that gentleness, humility, and patience is the best way to deal with problems (Ephesians 4.1-2).

The second proverb highlighted gives us another story, this time from Arthur C. Brooks in his book 'Love your enemies'. He had opened an email which started "Dear Professor Brooks, you are a fraud!" The email continued for some 5,000 words criticizing every single chapter of his book, informing him of his inadequacy as a researcher, and his failure as a human being. Should he ignore the email and just delete it, or say something equally awful back to this person, or perhaps pick out the writer's own errors? In the end he sent a message back thanking him for the email, and the fact that he had read the whole book, and taken the time and attention to write to him. Fifteen minutes later he got a very friendly reply, which ended with an offer to meet over a meal. Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for them (Matthew 5.43-44).

Lord Jesus Christ,
as You loved us
may we learn to love all people,
especially those we find difficult,
and at those times we want to get cross.
Help us to remember that all people
are Your children
and should be treated as such.
Teach us to try a gentle touch,
in all situations,
following Your example.
Amen.