A Gentle Reminder About Gentleness

I meet with a small group of spiritual directors once a month over zoom for a time set aside to engage in a spiritual practice and then create art together. It's a way to slow down and engage with God through contemplation and art expression.

We often use an image and scripture verse as a prompt to practice God's presence for a few moments, and to find inspiration to express ourselves creatively.

This past week we met again, and I felt inspired to paint the gentleness of God. His voice is so different from my own inner critic. His voice is full of love and patience. Not condemnation or harshness.

I have learned through the years that he is way more gracious with me than I am with myself.

But sometimes I need a fresh reminder.

Recently, while in prayer, I had an image of myself walking along a beautiful flower bed, adorned with lovely and bountiful purple flowers. As I was walking, I reached out my hand to softly touch the delicate blossoms as I passed by.

This became a felt sensation of the gentleness of God towards me. Towards all of us, really.

He longs to show us his compassionate and tender love.

Maybe you need that reminder today, too.

"Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him." ~Isaiah 30:18