And the Lord's servants

must not be quarrelsome

  but kind to everyone,

able to teach,

patiently enduring evil,

correcting his opponents

         with gentleness.

              2 Timothy 2. 24

(We live in a society

where even

gentleness and kindness

    are countercultural,

very unexpected,

and that which brings

   the gospel

        to the surface.

It is not our successes,

being perfect

            or right,

or favorable circumstances

that mark us,

             but Your grace.

What are we pursuing

    in this situation?

Kindness, patience and love

   are always intentional.)

O LORD,

Fill us with awareness of You

in these situations that

            surround us

that we may not react

     but respond.

Help us to approach

     the rocky places,

     the ordinary,

     even the scary,

differently

   because we love You.

Help us to not see foes

   around every corner,

but see Your love for them,

as You have loved us.

Help us to approach this,

not as a difficulty,

but as an opportunity for others

to see how Your grace

     changes us

     in very tangible ways.

May they notice

    "What kind of person

       responds like that?"

Forgiven

    and redeemed.

May the mind of Christ

          prevail

and the aroma of Christ

          linger here.