I was present in the midst of a group conversation where multiple people said,
“You just don’t see that anymore.”
and
“I just don’t see many present examples right now.”
and
“It’s so rare to experience that these days.”
At one point, we were talking about forgiveness. At another point, we were talking about kindness. No one in this conversation had become cynical; instead, I believe I was hearing a yearning for expressions of care, both public and personal.
Or to use another word, we need gentleness. We need to practice it. We need to receive it. We need a gentler world.
This is different, of course, than needing a comfortable world. There is no need decrease the tenacity and strength of voices crying out in anger and pain when they are experiencing violence and being marginalized. Sometimes, we make calls toward kindness and “civility” so we don’t have to be uncomfortable with the righteous anger and pain people are expressing. No, not this.
But I wonder what would happen if we responded with kindness and tenderness? I wonder what would happen if we responded not with defensiveness but gentleness?
I also wonder what would happen if we chose to practice more gentleness toward ourselves right now. This is a human need all the time.
In all these things, I’m just wondering aloud today. I would love to hear from you too.
What do you wonder?
What do you think?
What do you long for?
Smuggling Grace 