Reading for Gentleness

Paul in his letter to the church at Galatia told us that we should, "Walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16) He tells us later in the same letter, that when we do this the fruit of the Spirit will be seen in our lives. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" (Galatians 5:22-23). To help us walk in the Spirit, we should read books that help us develop these characteristics in our own lives. The Holy Spirit will remind us of the lessons we learn from these readings and help gentleness become the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

It is not easy to be a gentle person. Sometimes, it is easier to push and shove. It may be easier to constantly fight for what we want and stubbornly ignore other people's needs, but that is not being gentle. According to the dictionary gentle means:
1. kindly; amiable: a gentle manner.
2. not severe, rough, or violent; mild: a gentle wind; a gentle tap on the shoulder.
3. moderate: gentle heat.
4. gradual: a gentle slope.
5. easily handled or managed; tractable: a gentle animal.
6. soft or low: a gentle sound.
7. polite; refined: Consider, gentle reader, my terrible predicament at this juncture.
8. Archaic. noble; chivalrous: a gentle knight. –verb (used with object)
I like the picture the words "gentle knight" make in my mind. Knights are not weaklings sitting around letting everyone beat up on them, yet they are in the definition of gentleness. I want to be like a knight and with a gentle manner kindly helping those around me.

Write to me and tell me your own stories about gentleness. Tell me what books you read that help you remember to practice gentleness.