Greetings -
CAPSULE
- What do we weigh on the courtesy scale?
- Do we say "please," "thank you," and "excuse me?"
- Do we greet before we engage people? Example: We are at work and in our initial contacts for the day(s), we approach colleagues about matters - do we greet them first with "Good morning," "hi," "hello" etc? Or do we just forego greetings and start in with our communication?
- What about sharing? Are we gung-ho for receiving but selfish about giving - not just things - but our time and energy to the interests of others?
Another account that I heard was about Christians who lack courteous demeanors and who fail to show love.
What about this? Do we keep our words? Of course, extenuating circumstances can necessitate changes/postponements/cancellations becoming necessary but when those are the cases, do we make contacts to inform of changes? Or do we just discourteously leave people hanging?
Today in the December 2010 issue of GQ magazine I read an interview of Vice President Biden. This is what he said that his father told him, "You're a man of your word. Without your word, you're not a man."
May GOD help us all to habitually practice courtesy and to be people of excellence in the areas of love, integrity, credibility, and responsiveness - among other godly pursuits.
Let us be Spiritually fruity Christians in all affairs of life - for that is the Word of GOD - in practice.
Note: Even when we must be stern and firm - love should be a habitual focus.
COURTESY SCALE
ReplyDeleteGreat piece that we need to hold up like a mirror and see who we are reflecting!
ReplyDeleteHi Marijo -
ReplyDeleteThank you...
Yes, you are right.
I firmly believe that our Lord is fully for being courteous - habitually. Even when we must be stern and firm - love must be a focus.
Greetings -
ReplyDeleteI received this, via e-mail, from Marijo:
On Wed, Dec 8, 2010 at 5:41 PM, Marijo wrote:
Know what one of my pet peeves is? when you thank someone (especially a clerk or someone who is helping you with something - waitress etc) and they say "not a problem" - what happened to you are welcome? Not a problem is really saying "it didn';t bother me that much or wasn't a difficulty for me".... to me that is a self centered answer rather than an outgoing and helpful answer - i realize it is probably a generational thing like saying "cool" was when I was growing up but really.....
Hi Marijo -
ReplyDeleteI agree, "what happened to you are welcome?"
I received this, via e-mail, from Karen:
ReplyDeleteKaren to me
show details 7:13 PM (19 minutes ago)
I really liked this capsule - good questions. I find it appalling that Christians have a reputation at hotels for being discourteous! I would like to know the whole story there. I know that sometimes nonbelievers scrutinize our actions, looking for hypocrisy, to make themselves feel better. I don't condone discourteous behaviour, but sometimes people take offense just so that they can complain.
I think integrity is very important. I have returned to stores when they gave me too much change, even one time when a grocery cashier missed charging me for about $60 of items. I told the customer service rep that maybe God was testing my integrity. I don't tell this story because I think I am better than other people, I just think that all Christians should be people of integrity.
Karen
Hi Karen -
ReplyDeleteThank you for your valuable comments. Interesting points that you made - something to think about indeed. Also, clearly, you are right that "all Christians should be people of integrity."
You commented, "hotels." My account mentioned hotel not hotels. I didn't hear that it was more than one hotel.
Amen! I like this post. I think that we do need to do our best in our lives to become more like Jesus, as Christians, that should be what we strive for. However, not every one understands that that is what a Christian is. Unfortunately, there are many who think that they can act any way they want to, because God will forgive them. They don't think about the fact that what they do could be harmful to another person.
ReplyDeleteTHis post gives a lot of food for thought.It is sad when christians are frowned upon,because of their lack of courtesy.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Ruth
Such a very good post, Sandra. My husband and I love all things having to do with the Old West. We attend several events a year, and many are attended by the old actors from TV and movie westerns. One thing we are ALWAYS impressed by is their politeness. They are gentlemen -
ReplyDeleteThe art of courtesy seems to be missing lately from our culture. Society concentrates so much on a "give me" mindset, that there's not much room for a "help you" thought!
I was taught manners growing up, and I practice them faithfully. I taught my sons the same thing, and they are polite also. I'm so glad that THAT stuck with them!!
In a selfish society, a "Good Morning" or a "Please" or "Thank You" goes a long way!! I have a strong idea that Jesus was a VERY polite person - and always had time to be kind.
(Side note: I appreciated your comment the other day about what I said about hiding in the shadow of the Lord when the storm is blowing. You suggested a post - I took your advice! Tomorrow is my post called "In the Shadow" - hop over if you have a chance! Thanks)
As always, Sandra - a good and timely word. THANK YOU!
GOD BLESS!
Greetings -
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your comments which indeed I do value and appreciate.
@Julie
You are right we need to be more like Jesus.
@Ruth
May our Lord help us all to be mindful of the importance of courtesy - for we are commissioned to be doers of our Lord's words...
@Sharon
It must be interesting to listen to the stories told by those who were in western movies and series.
I love westerns. One of my favorites is the original "Magnificent Seven."
Great that you were raised with manners and that you taught your sons who embrace it, as well. I too was raised with the awareness that courtesy is essential.
Side bar: I am glad that you are going to do "In the Shadow." Of course, I will visit your blog to read it.