![I heard recently that the two most important needs for a human are to be fully and wholly loved and to be fully and wholly known. Having lost a child, there are things that I feel that not everyone can understand and leaves a lot to be desired on the fully and wholly known side of the equation.
On the eve of Mother’s Day and with Father’s Day on the horizon, it is important to point out that these holidays are not all the Hallmark commercials make them out to be. There are people who feel a hurt similar to ours in that they have children that they cannot hold, hug or see. On the flip side, there are children (of all ages) who can only imagine what their parents would be like or are trying to navigate the new normal without one or both. And a group that knows the hurt of missing both [parent(s) and child(ren)].
As these holidays creep up, say a prayer for the people that fall into any of the categories. Remember how blessed you are if you have both your children and your parents. Call or text someone you know who may be struggling with the holidays to remind them of the fact that they are known and loved by the people in their circle.
We know that only God can fully know and love us, but we also know that we are His hands and feet. The physical manifestation of a God that we cannot see.
To anyone that fits into any of these categories: I love you and pray you are able to find joy in a time you may very well dread.
To the people that have sent extremely thoughtful cards, flowers, gifts and messages: thank you for making this season more manageable. You are simply the best.
Counting it all Joie,
Ryce](https://i0.wp.com/www.rycespieces.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png?w=1100&ssl=1)
We’ve heard time and time again that we should be gentle with everyone because we don’t know what battles they are fighting.
Subject: Be Gentle With Everyone
Recently, the world lost the actor that brought us classic biopics of Black entertainers and legends and made us all believe that Wakanda could really exist. He did all of this while battling stage 3 colon cancer. Chadwick Boseman was loved and adored by many because of his talents, but we have to show that same love and adoration toward the Jeremys of the world too.
Just because someone looks ok, doesn’t mean that they are suppressing some real hurt or battling something serious. That’s why it’s fitting that September is focused on being gentle with everyone.
Objective:
Since we’ve already created our template for what we are going to do each month, the task of copying prompts and setting up this month should be fairly easy. If you are finding this page first, check out my post on how to start journaling here, then pop back over to get the prompts.
Use this optional prompt at the end of month. If you want to track any other memories, add them at the end of the month. This isn’t the primary focus, but it’s always fun to keep fun memories.
Here are a few of ideas for the end of the month recap:
- Write out how your outlook on being gentle with yourself
- Think about the ways that others have been considerate of you and write them down to look back on
- Write a series of notes to people in your circle in appreciation. Reflect on the outcome.
Actionable Item:
Make it a point to exercise being gentle with everyone that you encounter (Especially when you are in situations that are trying your patience). It’s also important to remember to be gentle with yourself. We have a tendency to be hypercritical with ourselves.
When you don’t meet your own expectations, reflect rather than rebuke. We have to realize that we deal with a lot ourselves and that’s not to be discounted. So what if you didn’t lose the weight you wanted in the time frame you planned. Or so what if you didn’t land the job or the opportunity.
Give yourself grace this month. 1 Timothy 6:11 – 12 says that we have to pursue gentleness (along with other things) and fight the good fight of faith. That means that it takes action and effort to be gentle to others and yourself.
Point of it all: Just Be Gentle
Gentle has roots in a latin word that means “of the same family”. That means that to be gentle is to cultivate a sense of belonging in your group. It also means being gentle with everyone (yourself included). You are doing the best you can with what you have. That’s perfectly fine. You belong in whatever fashion you are currently in. Your gentle spirit makes the “family” you have work. Let’s strive to be gentler this month!
![I heard recently that the two most important needs for a human are to be fully and wholly loved and to be fully and wholly known. Having lost a child, there are things that I feel that not everyone can understand and leaves a lot to be desired on the fully and wholly known side of the equation.
On the eve of Mother’s Day and with Father’s Day on the horizon, it is important to point out that these holidays are not all the Hallmark commercials make them out to be. There are people who feel a hurt similar to ours in that they have children that they cannot hold, hug or see. On the flip side, there are children (of all ages) who can only imagine what their parents would be like or are trying to navigate the new normal without one or both. And a group that knows the hurt of missing both [parent(s) and child(ren)].
As these holidays creep up, say a prayer for the people that fall into any of the categories. Remember how blessed you are if you have both your children and your parents. Call or text someone you know who may be struggling with the holidays to remind them of the fact that they are known and loved by the people in their circle.
We know that only God can fully know and love us, but we also know that we are His hands and feet. The physical manifestation of a God that we cannot see.
To anyone that fits into any of these categories: I love you and pray you are able to find joy in a time you may very well dread.
To the people that have sent extremely thoughtful cards, flowers, gifts and messages: thank you for making this season more manageable. You are simply the best.
Counting it all Joie,
Ryce](https://www.rycespieces.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
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