Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, and leave the rest to God.
I read these somewhere recently. Don't they make sense? Why doesn't everyone do them?
I know what I think, but I'm curious as to your thoughts... Leave a comment if you will.
4 comments:
I have a friend who would be offended if I didn't say hello. I never could understand why they blamed me when they didn't say hello to me. I would usually follow up any reprimand with how do you know where I'm at. Maybe I have something that is occupying my thoughts. I could be sick or have a serious problem that has me distracted. I never take anyones silence as a slight but rather they may need me to ask them how they are doing.
Mmmm. Those are good.
As to why everyone doesn’t do them, here’s my 2 cents ~
I think it’s a heart issue rooted in selfishness. If I’m more concerned about my day, my time, my problems, what’s going on in my life … well, I’ll care less about what’s going on in the lives of others. I’m so wrapped up in my own little world that I either don’t care or am blissfully unaware of others’ life circumstances. And finding out what’s going on would take some time out of my already packed schedule, so I just continue on. (all hypothetical of course! *cough cough*)
---
About the 2nd quote ~ I was thinking about the huge difference between those words and the VERY popular mindset I’ve encountered in my MBA program:
“Live simply” – how counter-cultural is that?!?! That flies in the face of our materialistic, American-dream enthralled society. “Gimme, gimme, gimme” seems to be the common sentiment I hear. Acquiring status symbols is seen as the only way to have a good life. I often fight the urge to say, “People, most people live on less than a dollar a day. Get over yourself.”
“Love generously” – um, no … that’s a sign of weakness. You must fight for your “rights” and desires.
“Care deeply” – ever heard the expression “It’s lonely at the top”? Enough said.
“Speak kindly” – Only when it’s beneficial to you.
“Leave the rest to God” – Oh no! You’ve gotta make things happen. Trusting in God would require waiting (and believing in God … but that’s another point entirely).
---
I’ll close this insanely long comment with a verse I say almost every morning before leaving my house ~
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ~ Philippians 2:3
I think that sums it up nicely. :)
Kudos!
Thanks for sharing! We had another comment, but she used my name (ahem!) and I don't post those. :)
Thanks for taking the time...
After reading half way through B. Moore's insecurity book I am able to look around at people...men and women....and be a bit more merciful on them instead of judging them so quickly now. Ouch. In my adult life I have always tried to "see" why someone does what they do, but the insecurity book really opened my eyes to the fact that ALL of us suffer from this at some level and like SCChapman sings---we're all broken. Thus, the reason to need a Savior.
LOVE YOU!
Post a Comment