Like a nursing mother

But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. – 1 Thessalonians 2.7

I know that Paul and his team were ‘real men.’ No one could ever call them soft or sissy or anything like that. They were tough and they had often had their toughness tested by their opposition.

But these tough guys knew the importance of love and meekness and gentleness. He here uses the most gentle picture of gentleness possible.

Mary and I have six children. Through the years I was blessed to see the tenderness and sweetness of Mary feeding our children. I love the picture of mother and baby cuddled together while Mary provided all the nourishment our children needed.

But she provided more than just nourishment. Those sweet tender moments provided comfort and inexplicable love. It was gentleness beyond description.

And that is how Paul describes his care for the Thessalonians.

I wonder how many of us have that kind of gentleness in dealing with others. I mean this is a special kind of gentleness and I think it is one that most of us, especially men, are not too familiar with. It is easy enough to be a tough guy when dealing with spiritual matters. But to be charged with being as gentle as a nursing mother? That is quite a different matter.

Gentleness is tied in with Biblical meekness. May God give us the strength is temper our spirits and make us gentlemen and gentlewomen.