Inspiration

One form of gentleness we should practice is towards ourselves. We should never get irritated with ourselves because of our imperfections. It is reasonable to be displeased and sorry when we commit faults, but not fretful or spiteful to ourselves.

Some make the mistake of being angry because they have been angry, hurt because they have been hurt, vexed because they have been vexed. They think they are getting rid of anger, that the second remedies the first; actually, they are preparing the way for fresh anger on the first occasion.

It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 am, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.

"As the source of every good pleasure, God himself pleases fully and finally. If that's not how we experience him, we are either dead, or blind, or sleepwalking."

- John Piper

A woman in a drafting unit was promoted to supervisor and some of the older male workers were having difficulty accepting her authority.

While she instructed one such subordinate, he interrupted with, "Young lady, I'm old enough to be your father."

"And," she replied, "I'm old enough to be your supervisor."