November 15, 2019 (Friday)
The previous two blogs were about being kind and good. A third fruit of the Spirit that fits perfectly with those two is “gentleness.” It seems to me that gentleness naturally reflects kindness and goodness. God deals gently with us. A famous hymn is a prayer, “Lead Me Gently Home, Father,” written by Will L. Thompson (1847-1909). He wrote many hymns, among which is one of my favorites, “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling.” When I hear that hymn, I picture Jesus in my mind with arms outstretched waiting to gently lead us home. Our Savior set an example for us to follow. As He was the gentle Savior, so we are to be His gentle followers.
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Words and Music by Will L. Thompson 1880 Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, Calling for you and for me; See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching, Watching for you and for me. Refrain: Come home, come home, You who are weary, come home; Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, Calling, O sinner, come home! Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading, Pleading for you and for me? Why should we linger and heed not His mercies, Mercies for you and for me? Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing, Passing from you and from me; Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming, Coming for you and for me. Oh, for the wonderful love He has promised, Promised for you and for me! Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon, Pardon for you and for me. |
Listen to George Beverly Shea
Listen to the Chuck Wagon Gang
Listen to alternate tune by Cynthia Clawson