Gentleness by Rosemary Legrand

Today’s guest blogger is not really a guest, she is our own Pearls of Promise Communications Coordinator, Rosemary Legrand. In addition to handling most of the communications for Pearls of Promise Ministries, Rosemary Legrand is also the Director of Operation for Joy and Company and co-host of The Review with Joy & Company Radio Show.

She is a retired administrative phenom from a legacy airline and has had the opportunity to travel extensively for many years. A vibrant, enthusiastic Christian, Rosemary loves God with all her heart. Spend just a few moments with her and she will encourage you wherever you are in your walk with Christ. She is the author of the “WIC (Words Inspiring Change)

Consistently being used by God, Rosemary is a powerful yet humble motivational speaker. Speaking to all groups from adults to teens, she has been on the battlefields enlightening and encouraging others for many years, for she feels she has no choice that it’s her God given duty. She is bountifully rewarded being in His service and graciously accepts the call to servant-hood.

Born and raised on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, Rosemary and her family called London, England home for over twenty-two years. She attended Kenley College and later accepted the role as principal of Ebony School of Hairdressing.

Rosemary is a widow and has three wonderful children, six beautiful grandchildren, and three precious great-granddaughters.  She is a member of The Potters House in Dallas, Texas.

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight (1Peter 3: 3-4).

First, I must say…many people have branded me as gentle and soft spoken, but as I was preparing to encourage you in the “SPIRIT OF GENTLENESS,” I realize there must be more to being gentle and soft-spoken.

So I looked up the meaning of GENTLENESS.

There are a lot of different ways to dissect the word “gentleness” I’m going to focus simply on the meaning of gentleness.

Gentleness is the quality of being considerate or kind in disposition, being friendly and tender, mild and soft, refined and polite.

And the opposite of gentleness is harsh or severe.

As I pondered the definition, I considered Jesus. He is all-powerful, but never misuses his power.  He is gentle with his unruly children (US). He is the perfect father who never reacts in anger.

Someone who is walking by the Spirit is going to be a gentle person.  No matter what the circumstances, they will remain gentle. Not because of weakness, but because of the strength that Jesus provides.  Remember Philippians 4:13:  “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

To be gentle is to recognize that God’s ways and thoughts are high above our own, according to Isaiah 55:9.

It means that we accept that the rain falls on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45) and that God may use methods we don’t like to reach our hearts, and the hearts of others.

Jesus gave us the perfect picture of gentleness in Matthew 21:5, “See, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey.”

And now He offers us His gentleness as a gift. If we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, we will be filled with the fruit of gentleness.

When we are filled with the Spirit’s fruit of gentleness, we will correct others with a soft word, instead of arguing in resentment and anger. We will forgive readily, because any offense toward us is nothing compared to our offenses against God—

When we are filled with the spirit of Gentleness, competition and hatred will disappear, as the goal becomes less about ourselves, and more about others seeing the Christ in us. The word of God in Matthew 7:6 says, “By their fruits you will know them.” Jesus was saying we will be able to identify false prophets by their fruits. False prophets will not produce good fruit.  So, as we walk in the fruit of “Gentleness,” our behavior and action must be genuine and consistent.

As Christians, people are constantly watching us to see if we are different. As I said before, people think I am gentle and soft spoken. Why? Because they have interacted with me.

Gentleness also means giving up the right to judge what is best for us, and others.  You see, God is not as concerned with our comfort as he is concerned with our spiritual growth. He wants our lives to depict the Fruit of the Spirit and he knows how to grow us far better than we do. He offered us his gentleness as a gift. Accept that precious gift. He loves you. When you love someone you will always give them your very best.

Don’t ignore or neglect your inner condition.  Remember the value that God places on the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.

Gentleness also means “putting up with stuff.” It means bearing with peace the disturbances that others create.  E.g.: husbands, children, and co –workers etc. but especially with children.  Gentleness toward your child can translate to an understanding hug rather than stern words or a time-out.

So brand the image of Jesus and his suffering onto your mind and your heart.  Clothe yourself in the fruit of the spirit. And as you “put up with stuff,” you will cultivate the fruit of God’s gentleness.

May God richly bless each of you!

In Him,

Rosemary Legrand

 

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