Be gentle!

I was reading the last few days about the apostle Paul, particularly the books of Colossians, Thessalonians and Timothy.   It occurred to me the importance of these books especially when I read the following
2 Timothy 4:6
"For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come."

Paul was leaving in these books vital information for those that were to be in charge of spreading the gospel after he was gone.  He was writing his living will.  He knew his life was coming to an end.  This realization left him writing messages trying to leave the most important treasure of messages behind.
I thought  to myself as I was reading this, 'what important message would I leave behind if I knew my life was coming to an end?'
I started to think that I would want to make sure my family knew how important they are to me and how much I love them.
Yet the message that Paul was leaving was about being kind, being patience, conducting oneself in public with all gentleness so there would be no reproach.
He was concerned about the testimony that ones character can have on those that believe in God and also especially those that yet don't believe.
He knew that the manner we conduct ourselves and how we speak to others can have catastrophic effects in the lives of those who surround us.
I feel very touched by his message.  Often I have been so filled with self righteousness that I have wanted  my point of view to be acquired by others without any regard for the harshness of my words.
Especially in my own household.  I have heard and often said that children lead by example and this is so profoundly true.  They need to be taught with gentleness, patience and lots of love.
We can not force anyone to accept God but we can definitely show them God through gentleness, kindness and love.  Through a godly character.