Why Kind and Gentle is Better
Growing up I had a great uncle named Bob Byrd. He was not only a great uncle by definition (my grandfather Tatum’s brother-in-law), he was a great uncle in the sense of being great to me. He was fun. He was kind and gentle and full of laughter. I can never remember a moment when he was in a bad mood. He loved to play cards and games and to do all of the things kids do. He taught me how to water ski. He taught me card tricks and tricks with coins. He loved to spend time with and entertain all of the small children.
Uncle Bob was fighter pilot in the Korean Conflict. His plane went down but he safely ejected from it and found his way past the enemy back to company lines. After the war he spent the rest of his life serving our country in the Air Force. I have so many good memories of
Since you are reading this I want to get to the point of my purpose in sharing with you about my uncle Bob. What he taught me was that it was never too difficult to be gentle and kind. He was always smiling and his mood was never dependent on circumstances. He had several disappointments in his life but those struggles never seemed to quench his joyful spirit. When he walked into a room everyone was better for it. If uncle Bob was there you knew it was going to be a good time. You knew he would give you a reason to laugh. You knew that no matter what, his presence would ease the situation. I consider that Christ-likeness has something to do with the meekness that comes with being at peace within oneself regardless of your surroundings. My uncle Bob had mastered that. He proved that being kind and gentle was a wonderful way to be.
I would love to tell you all the stories I could about Bob’s wife, my great aunt Cis – like how she used to send me gifts at Christmas-time very similar to the bunny pajamas Ralphie received from his aunt in the movie, “A Christmas Story.” Imagine getting a tiger printed bicycle seat cover with a bell for the handle bars when you are fifteen and you get the picture. My sister has never let me live that one down. Families are beautiful for stories like that. Being in a family teaches you that love never deals in perfection but instead it is the binding force that fosters acceptance in spite of our individual complexities. I both loved and was loved growing up in my family and in my heart and mind that has made all the difference.
Bob Byrd passed away on Sunday evening. He would have been 90 one day before my birthday this year. He made America great before it was ever proposed that we would make it great again. Any tears I shed are only tears of appreciation and thanksgiving for a great uncle who loved me. He was a great, great uncle because he made the choice in every moment to be gentle and kind…and through the years I have learned that being that way is always the best choice we can make.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against
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AUTHOR: Jeremiah Tatum
