Hmm…. what can I do with a five minute Friday word prompt that I didn’t expect? The word this week is Gentle. Miss Kate just put up her post. To be gentle is to either be moderate in action, effect, or degree; not harsh or severe OR to be having or showing a mild, kind, or tender temperament or character. If you were to use it as a verb you say that one would make or become gentle; calm or pacify. You’ll find in today’s poem, that thinking on the word gentle led down a path unexpected with As Gentle As a Purr.
As Gentle As a Purr
Ruminating I sat
Staring blindly at the screen
CSI playing
A murder is the scene.
Gentle is the prompt
I think this word
So hard
Haltingly I wonder…
as gentle as a purr?
You see, we have
this crazy cat.
She’s smart as a whip
busy and demanding
Her hiss is quite the hit!
Causing quick reaction
As backwards fast we move
A hiss always predicates
Fast moving paws.
When first she came
Thought we back must go
But then a bath surprised
She gave in, I knew ’twas a go.
Two years hence it’s been
And now in morning a purr
Gentle waking call
“human, get up, hungry is”
It causes me to consider
Christ action in my life
Could he be gentling me
Much like I gentled a cat?
Cutting back my hissing
and quick flying claws
Softening my words
And helping wisdom flood my words?
Reading words of wisdom
The Proverbs steep my bones
Reminding me to think,
To consider softly now my words.
Slowly and securely
Replacing the older me
Before I even notice
We have a wiser me!
Living out the call
Determined for my life
Be holy as I’m holy.
For my child oh thou art!
Scriptural Insight
Repeatedly stated in scripture, but specifically taken from Leviticus 20:26
Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.
Proverbs 20:5 The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water,
but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Proverbs 17:27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,
and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your soul.
Isaiah 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young
Love the connection. 🙂
thank you
‘Christ action in my life Could he be gentling me Much like I gentled a cat?’ – I’m so thankful that He calls me His own and for His action in my life.
Visiting from FMF #6
I know, it’s a good thing eh?
You may have wrestled a bit to find your feet for this prompt word, but you did a MARVELOUS job drawing this metaphor together. It’s so purrfect! 😀 Jesus absolutely gentles us the way we do our domestic critter friends!
Thank you Ellie. 🙂 it’s good how he does it isn’t it?
haha, what a fun way to weave the gentleness of the critters into this! Thank you for sharing these thoughts.
You are most welcome, and so kind. 🙂
I love the word picture you paint of how God gentles is without us even realizing the work he’s doing in our lives.
Thank you Anita. 🙂
A gentle and a quiet purr,
so perfect, without flaw,
and then from this ball of fur
extends a stealthy claw
to go ker-THWACK across my face;
though stunned, I am quite certain
that she is tearing ’round the place,
climbing every curtain,
and leaving dogs bamboozled:
“Hey, what the heck was THAT?”
But no need to be puzzled
for it is just a cat
making all the world live through
the things all kitties love to do.
Andrew… I LOVE IT! 🙂
Such a perfect analogy!! Yes, Jesus surely has gentled me as I’ve grown older and he has worked in my heart. And his gentling work is not done.
I’m at FMF #33 this week.
thank you Kym. 🙂 He’s very good at gentling us isn’t he?
Love the analogy you’ve drawn with this poem.
Thanks for sharing.
thank you Sandra. 🙂
What a beautiful connection you make between the idea of how you treat the cat and how God is treating us. Your inspiration scriptures were beautiful to read.
oh thank you. 🙂