Meekness for a hard heart

Meekness is a word that we don't use much today, we more often substitute it for the word 'gentleness'. Yet I think it is an irresistible quality whenever I see it - generally in old people who have spent their life obedient to the Lord's laws of love - a patience, quietness, trust, confidence - rolled into an overall spirit of softness, or rather, meekness.

Lately, as it is the spirit of Advent, where it is right to let the light of truth penetrate our hearts as we remember and anticipate the King of Heaven who has come and is coming again, I've been thinking about how little meekness I emanate right now. Instead my heart is impatient and agitated, bordering on bitterness and despair - and those feelings creep into my heart like an invasive ivy vine and suffocate and harden the feelings at my core.

How does one cultivate meekness then? My only insight is that it must be a discipline - regularly cutting back the undergrowth of impatience and petty anger and shining truth into those areas where I'm erecting elaborate barricades "to protect myself". I can only do that by regularly reminding myself of the nature and authority of the One in whom I trust. And the best way to do that is to regularly look around and thank Him for the good gifts that he has showered on me - not limiting the pool by focusing on a few gifts that He has chosen not to give me yet. Give thanks regularly, trusting the One who is both good and powerful.