1 Thessalonians 2:7-8

"But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us."
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8


I love this... I mean, I actually love it when anyone talks about gentleness instead of blowing things up... but you know, it is even better in the scriptures. :)  And it is extra cool when it is a man doing the talking.  Women are allowed to talk about gentleness and compassion... but only the boldest of men do.  Interestingly, this is also in reference to teaching the Gospel.  How better to teach *anyone* than to teach them out of love?  The gospel especially is tailor-made for that kind of teaching.  It isn't something that we should make a condition of our love, at all... if we love people only when we think that they are a candidate for the baptismal font, that isn't very sincere.  We need to love them, get to know them... and when we know each other and love each other, the gospel *will* come up... as a natural part of our lives, not as a foreign object injected awkwardly into conversation.  If we make it part of ourselves, then it will be part of every relationship that we have.    And whether or not they choose to embrace the gospel, the love will remain.  Love is always a good thing to have, and something to rejoice in. :)  Just think, if every conversation that we had was motivated by love... if everything that we did were motivated by love... what differences would be in our lives?  In just one day?  Let's think about it today... take just a second and see if there is a positive, loving motivation behind whatever we are doing today.  If there isn't, maybe we should stop doing it until we find one. :)