Country Chronicles

Softening the Hard Edges

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 ESV

The corn is tasseling in the garden. I’m sitting on my back patio cooling down from picking a bucket of green beans and a basket of zucchini and yellow squash. The green bell peppers are growing large enough to stuff with ground beef, rice, and onion, which I plan to freeze for later use. There’s one row of red potatoes yet to dig when the ground dries. I spotted an orange Roma tomato, and I’m eager for it to turn red.

I’ll admit, the intermittent rain we’ve had recently is making it hard to get into the garden and do the necessary gardening work. The weeds are thriving without the tiller, making fast work of them. That’s why the row of potatoes remains underground. I’m concerned they may be rotting. It’s why the green beans I picked yesterday are damaged with mold and rust.

But we need the rain for our dry, parched land. I’m thankful for it, so I don’t want to seem ungrateful when I wish God would spread it out over the next few months, when it will desperately be needed and wanted during the hottest, driest time of our year. The truth is, we get it when He sends it. So, I’ve learned to make the best of it and work with it.

In the scheme of things, these garden woes are small problems to have. They are blessings. I haven’t had to water, because He is doing the watering for me. My plants are growing and bearing a plentiful amount of fruit.

Watching it rain while my garden grows is the soft side of life. We need more of this in our world. Our world, in which a war rages on the other side. What’s a few ruined potatoes or green beans? It’s nothing when compared to life lost most horrifyingly.

But we, you and I, can make the world a better place. We can sand down the rough edges of our world by adding tenderness to what we say and do. To help us in this endeavor, here is a list that might direct us toward the cause.

1. We must put aside our religion, denomination, peers, and politics, and focus on Jesus, our true example of how to live in this world.

2. We must ask ourselves if we are striving to live and love like He did.

3. We must ask ourselves if we are empathetic and sympathetic to the predicaments others may have.

4. We must ask ourselves how we are doing in the areas of compassion, mercy, and grace.

5. We must ask if we are benevolent to those in need.

6. We must ask if we are kind, even to those unlike us.

7. We must ask if we have a soft and tender heart toward others, or has our heart grown cold and hard?

8. We must ask ourselves how we speak the Truth to others when given the opportunity. Do we speak with gentleness, or do we lambast them with our words?

9. We must ask ourselves if we accept people for who they are and work with them accordingly, like Jesus did with his unruly group of disciples.

Yep. I’m preaching to the choir here. These are things I strive for, yet I fall short, so short every day. Maybe you’re like me, and you want to do a better job of loving humanity. Start by taking a good look at yourself in the mirror. While you’re giving yourself the once-over, focus only on Him. Reflect on His life and His works. Do you reflect him from the inside out? Did you find areas on the list where you need to improve? If so, begin with one, then another, and work on them.

We all fall short. Don’t let this disappoint you. Use it to propel you forward to change the world. While you’re changing the world, find ways to enjoy the softer side of life. Taking a walk in nature, listening to birds singing, and children laughing are a few ways to soften our hearts so that we might help soften the world around us.

Oh Lord,

Let us not forget those living through the most difficult situations.

Help us, Lord, as we help soften the edges of their hurt.

Soften our hearts to be your hands and feet.

You are the Way Maker. We trust you to turn our harsh ways into the gentleness that comes from you.

A-men