The world needs more gentle hands,
hands willing to touch tears,
wipe away fear,
lift up the weary,
comfort the grieving shoulders.

The world needs more gentle voices,
voices that speak the soothing sounds
of encouragement,
reassurance,
hope for those
worn thin by life
and the aching of strife.

The world needs more gentle vision,
a kinder way of seeing others,
a deliberate devotion to consideration,
a completely intentional manner
of loving both enemy and friend.

The world needs more fiercely forgiving hearts
that cannot be made to impart the slightest space
to hate, malice and vengeance,
but are continually filled to overflowing
with the love and compassion
that walked among lepers,
embraced the fallen,
and ate with publicans and sinners.

H. Arnett
10/30/17