A story from back in the day when gas stations had attendants who would pump the gas, clean your windows and check your oil.
A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend.
The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him in front of the service station.
Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump.
"Reverend," said the young man, "sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip."
The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean. It's the same in my business."
"Some people's two cents are why we got rid of pennies."
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.
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.
"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."