In this world of looking out for self and business curtesy has all but fallen by the way side. But as lights in a dark world how easy is it to display God’s love by just being courteous to a stranger. You might call this random acts of kindness. But honestly how difficult and costly is it to let another car into your lane. Something I noticed on the long drive home from my sister’s house today. It didn’t cost me a thing and it made the life of the other driver a little easier in the traffic.
It got me thinking how often do I do something purely for the benefit of someone else? When you see someone looking especially good, do you let them know? When someone has been of help, do you praise them or at the least thank them? Or do you take it for granted. These include your spouse. How do you react when you spouse goes out of his/her way to do something nice or special for you?
What a wonderful place the world would be if we took the time to be courteous to one another. It’s contagious you know. Once it’s been done to you, as long as your aware of it and don’t ignore or overlook it, you want to make someone else feel what you felt.
We are to shine God’s love to the world and what better way to start that then through being courteous to everyone around us. Ask God for ways in which to be a blessing to someone else. Ask God who He wants you to bless. Then do it! You may think that they are reaping the rewards but the joy that will fill your soul knowing that in some small way you are shining the light of God on people, you’re truly the one being blessed.
Let me encourage you wether you want to call it being courteous or random acts of kindness. Open the door for a stranger, compliment a strangers outfit or hair or suit or shoes, compliment a young mom on her children or an older dapper man on his style. The most important thing is these have to come from the heart. A phony will be found out in an instant and then you’ve ruined your light because a lie is from darkness and we want no part of that.
Light can not live with darkness. So make sure whatever you do comes from a heart of truth, honesty and love.Make sure most importantly it comes from love – where God lives. As long as that is basis of the act it will be blessed by God.
Ask God to help you keep your ears and eyes open for opportunities to act. Then enjoy blessing others and enjoy the blessing that will be to you.
Joy – A Woman After God’s Own Heart
Joy's Words of Encouragement 