[:en]A few years before Theodore Roosevelt became the 26th president of the U.S., he got word that his oldest son, Theodore Jr. was ill. His son was suffering from nervous exhaustion caused by him because he pressed him unmercifully to become the “fighter” hero-type he himself had not been during his own frail childhood. Upon hearing this, Roosevelt Sr. made a promise to relent: “Hereafter, I shall never press Ted either in body or mind”. He truly kept his promise and the same son bravely led the landing of Allied soldiers on Utah beach in World War II.
In our relationship with our spouses, children, friends, employees and customers, we tend to press too hard, to demand too much, to force progress, or to orchestrate success can lead us to harm others without realizing it. Therefore, followers of Christ must be patient and gentle with one another. (Col. 3:12)[:]