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Jesus rarely talked about himself in the Bible. Rather, he emphasized his Father’s will and the kingdom of heaven. However, in Matthew 11:29, Jesus says, “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart.”
 My walk with the Lord has gone from being prideful and selfish to being more humble and gentle. While I still have a long way to travel, God has made vast strides of progress. God cultivated humility and gentleness through my secret life with him. He quieted my selfish and prideful spirit and replaced it with his humility; and from this, the fruit of gentleness started to appear.
It all started during those quiet times when it was just he and I; when I found no answers to my problems in the world, I simply waited on him in faith, and he was faithful and merciful. As God quieted my spirit, I found that I could listen to others more empathetically. The fruit of gentleness evident to others is the magnet that attracts them to God’s inviting love — that transforms hearts and reshapes lives. Now, if the world around me falls apart, I have a very beautiful and safe refuge that I can retreat to where I know I can receive strength and perseverance, and where I allow God’s power to reshape what the world has distorted and to strengthen what the world has weakened. One of my two-year-old daughter’s favorite songs is “Jesus loves me.” The words still ring true: “I am weak, but he is strong — Yes, Jesus loves me.”
A life of searching
A life so lost
Until my sins
Showed their true cost.
A Prodigal son
Running from pride
Embraced by forgiveness
In the tears I cried.
To feel your love
Soften my heart
To begin anew
And never want to part.
Heart to heart
In my quiet place
Change my life
With your divine grace.
And let your fruits
For others see
Jesus is strong
And Jesus loves me.
reflection by Dean Robinson
email him about it at drobinson@Sebesta.com
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