It has been very cold and rainy here. We have the possibility of snow showers in the next few days. It is really early to be this cold and have snow here in Ohio. We had a cooler than normal summer and a really extra cold and extra long winter last year. So much for global warming.
I have not been sleeping too well lately and that makes me sort of down and dragging. :) It is no excuse I know, but I am stating fact. I have been contemplating a lot of things as I try to rest or nap.
One of those things is common courtesy. It seems to be missing a lot these days. I am not sure it is even taught anymore. It is not just about saying please and thank you, but also our actions toward others.
I had a friend a long time ago (yes, I really had a friend once). She was ALWAYS late for everything. One of our Titus 2 women back then used to tell her that always being late is selfish. It is saying that you and your schedule are more important than the other person. I had to stop and think about that. It really does make sense though. Also, do you tell someone that you will be somewhere at a certain time and then never show up? I was supposed to get something from someone recently. I told them when it would be picked up. It did not happen. Even though I didn't intend to, I was lying. Some of you might not agree with that. I do realize that there are times when something happens or you do just plain forget. However, a phone call or something to let them know you have not forgetton is nice. I have on many occasions turned down another opportunity, or missed something because I was waiting on someone who was supposed to come over or something. People did not show or call. When we tell someone something we need to follow through with it, or we need to quit saying those things. If you do this sort of thing often, people will not want to trust anything you say.
I know that I will get a lot of disagreement here and that is OK, but I think that call waiting is the rudest thing that was ever invented. I truly hate it. We pay for it on our phone because it is part of the package, but we had them turn it off. How many times have you been talking to someone. They put you on hold, sometimes for quite awhile, and then get back on and tell you they will have to call you back. I have made people mad because if I get put on hold and it lasts longer than I like, I just hang up. I figure they can call me back when they are able. They are telling me that their time and life are more important than mine.
I said all of the above because in my contemplations I go back to what the Lord has been showing me. I need to live deliberately. I need to not just live life on default, but to be deliberate about everything I do or say. I need to be "others" minded, not Marci minded. I need to make others feel like they are more important to me than I am to myself. I also feel that some people can take advantage of this and some boundaries might have to be put in place. I usually go to my husband with the ones who stretch the limits here and seek his counsel on where to put the boundaries. I need to take notice when others don't show courtesy and then look in my own life and see if I am guilty in that area. Many times the things that really bother us about others are the things that we ourselves do.
I want others to look at me and see Jesus. I heard the phrase one time (it may be in a song) that we might be the only Bible some people ever read. OUCH!! Are we self focused, always dwelling on our problems and hurts? Or do we reach out in love and make others feel that you really care about them. That is another saying I love. "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." If I am always in the dumps, or fearful or focusing on myself, why would anyone want what I have? I want to be a Bible that points toward the Savior. I want them to see that I have something that is worthwhile. I really do have something worthwhile. I have something that is so important that it affects my whole eternity. I need to show that to others.
J.O.Y. Jesus, others and then you. What a wonderful way to spell joy!!!
I have not been sleeping too well lately and that makes me sort of down and dragging. :) It is no excuse I know, but I am stating fact. I have been contemplating a lot of things as I try to rest or nap.
One of those things is common courtesy. It seems to be missing a lot these days. I am not sure it is even taught anymore. It is not just about saying please and thank you, but also our actions toward others.
I had a friend a long time ago (yes, I really had a friend once). She was ALWAYS late for everything. One of our Titus 2 women back then used to tell her that always being late is selfish. It is saying that you and your schedule are more important than the other person. I had to stop and think about that. It really does make sense though. Also, do you tell someone that you will be somewhere at a certain time and then never show up? I was supposed to get something from someone recently. I told them when it would be picked up. It did not happen. Even though I didn't intend to, I was lying. Some of you might not agree with that. I do realize that there are times when something happens or you do just plain forget. However, a phone call or something to let them know you have not forgetton is nice. I have on many occasions turned down another opportunity, or missed something because I was waiting on someone who was supposed to come over or something. People did not show or call. When we tell someone something we need to follow through with it, or we need to quit saying those things. If you do this sort of thing often, people will not want to trust anything you say.
I know that I will get a lot of disagreement here and that is OK, but I think that call waiting is the rudest thing that was ever invented. I truly hate it. We pay for it on our phone because it is part of the package, but we had them turn it off. How many times have you been talking to someone. They put you on hold, sometimes for quite awhile, and then get back on and tell you they will have to call you back. I have made people mad because if I get put on hold and it lasts longer than I like, I just hang up. I figure they can call me back when they are able. They are telling me that their time and life are more important than mine.
I said all of the above because in my contemplations I go back to what the Lord has been showing me. I need to live deliberately. I need to not just live life on default, but to be deliberate about everything I do or say. I need to be "others" minded, not Marci minded. I need to make others feel like they are more important to me than I am to myself. I also feel that some people can take advantage of this and some boundaries might have to be put in place. I usually go to my husband with the ones who stretch the limits here and seek his counsel on where to put the boundaries. I need to take notice when others don't show courtesy and then look in my own life and see if I am guilty in that area. Many times the things that really bother us about others are the things that we ourselves do.
I want others to look at me and see Jesus. I heard the phrase one time (it may be in a song) that we might be the only Bible some people ever read. OUCH!! Are we self focused, always dwelling on our problems and hurts? Or do we reach out in love and make others feel that you really care about them. That is another saying I love. "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." If I am always in the dumps, or fearful or focusing on myself, why would anyone want what I have? I want to be a Bible that points toward the Savior. I want them to see that I have something that is worthwhile. I really do have something worthwhile. I have something that is so important that it affects my whole eternity. I need to show that to others.
J.O.Y. Jesus, others and then you. What a wonderful way to spell joy!!!
3 comments:
No disagreement here! I totally understand what you mean. There are times when I am late (or our family) but we try our best to arrive right on time or early. I never thought of being late as being selfish, but I guess it's true. You are only thinking about yourself and not the impact of others. What do our actions say of us? I will have to contemplate that today and see what I can improve more on. Thanks again for the post Marci. :-)
What a wonderful post! I totally agree about making people wait for you and call-waiting. God has been teaching me so much about selfishness this year - ouch!!! :) Have a wonderful weekend!
Great insights, Marci! Your post brought to mind Paul's words from Philippians 2:3-4.
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Seeing it in print and carrying it out in our daily actions are two different things, aren't they?
Have a blessed day in the Lord! :)
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