But we were

      gentle among you.

          1 Thessalonians 2. 7

(An exceedingly rare

and unexpected response

          in our world.

And the most persuasive

                        of all.)

   .

O LORD,

May we be the gentle ones,

even when that is the last thing

            anyone would expect.

May Your grace pour over us

      and through us

to find Your way in this,

      which brings glory to You.

Gentleness is always going to

            look very different.

Please help us

   to follow Your heart

   in whatever we face today,

         whether volatile situations

         or what appears as ordinary places.