Common Courtesy not common, but crucial

“COMMON COURTESY” NOT COMMON BUT CRUCIAL
By: James J. Jackson

A woman gave my young grandson a small toy, which he took without comment. I told him to thank the lady, but this usually compliant child refused to say the words. The woman insisted that I should not force the child to say “thank you.”

I told him to either thank the lady or return the gift. He reluctantly thanked her; then I explained to him that being thankful and courteous is as much for his own well being as it is for the person being thanked. Recently I witnessed a mother struggling to get her child to apologize for hitting another child. The amount of resistance the child displayed was alarming.

It seems that what used to be considered common courtesy is not so common anymore. Courtesy has been replaced by selfishness and an uncaring attitude toward others. Television programs and movies glorify the in-your-face approach to others and the “all about me” attitude. Young people either have lost or never grasped the art of kindness and respect.

Children who are not taught to treat others as they would want to be treated grow up to contribute to the crowded “Anger Management” classes and, in extreme cases, the prison population. Society seems to preach that being courteous, thankful or apologetic shows some kind of weakness, when, in fact, it shows strength and self-control.

When our four daughters were young, they often had sibling spats. If two sisters displayed anger toward one another my wife would often make them apologize to each other, then hug each other until both smiled. It is heartwarming to watch them pass on to their children the lessons of being courteous and loving toward their siblings and others.

During the 1970’s, one small phrase in the movie, “Love Story” (“Love…means never having to say you’re sorry”), put many viewers on the course toward today’s attitude of failing to take responsibility for one’s actions. It seemed such a profound line. In truth, love means caring enough about someone whom you may have offended or hurt to say you’re sorry and take steps to make it right. It means caring enough to be thankful to others.

Many of today’s distressing social and moral problems stem from a loss of the type of personal and societal ethics that for many years kept in check the level of animosity we showed each other. The Bible tells us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Jesus declared that, after loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, loving each other is the greatest Commandment.

When we exhibit love toward each other, it illustrates God’s love for us. Knowing and seeing all, He knew that His prime creation had fallen into deadly sin, and could not save itself. Rather than watch us struggle and give in and be lost for all eternity, He became one of us, in the Person of Jesus Christ, and took the punishment for our sin and died for us. He then rose from the dead to show us that, through Him, we will rise again also. Any person, no matter how much sin baggage he or she is carrying, who repents, or apologizes to God, asks Christ to come into their life and be their Savior, and thanks Him for the free gift of eternal life, already has eternal life, according to God’s Word.

When we are loving and courteous with each other, we reflect our relationship with Christ, and we show His love to others. All He asks is that we share that love with others, through our actions and words.

Real Answers™jj140Copyright: ©2009 James J. Jackson600 words
THE ELUSIVE SEARCH FOR PEACE
By: James J. Jackson

Almost daily, we see peace protestors in the news. But, what is peace, and when will we know that it has arrived?
The dictionary defines peace as, “1: a state of tranquility or quiet: as a: freedom from civil disturbance; a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom.
Sadly, many people today define peace as the absence of conflict. This dangerous mind set led us to believe we were experiencing peace while the 911 attackers were feverishly planning their evil deeds. Many people considered the ‘Cold War’ to be a time of peace. As I grew up with a ‘bomb shelter’ in our basement, equipped with water, durable food products, a flashlight, radio, etc, I can tell you that it was not a peaceful time. When we crouched under our desks in school during air raid exercises, I don’t remember experiencing a spirit of peace.
So, the simple absence of obvious conflict is no evidence of the existence of peace.
The second definition in the dictionary says, “2: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions; harmony in personal relations.
This type of peace is probably the most elusive-inner peace. Many religions provide exercises and rituals designed to bring about inner peace, but their adherents rarely demonstrate any tangible evidence of true peace in their lives. More often, they appear just as ill-at-ease and conflicted as anyone else. One high-profile pro basketball coach is very public about his devotion to such a religion, but his often profanity-laced tirades against a referee or over the lack of productivity of his players demonstrate that he has not yet mastered the ‘peace’ element of his chosen religion.
The third definition says, “A state or period of mutual concord between governments; a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity."
As is demonstrated all around the world, a treaty, cease-fire or any other agreement cannot guarantee peace, and often are violated before the ink dries on the paper. Many people believe that a nation such as the United States, blessed with the means and power to help free others from tyranny, should stand by and watch atrocities take place. I don’t believe God would have us operate in that manner. Contrary to Cain’s declaration, we are our brother’s keeper.
The most profound example of erroneously trusting in this type of peace agreement was illustrated when British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain returned from a conference and announced a peace agreement with Adolph Hitler, Chamberlain had signed the Anglo-German Naval Agreement, declaring it to be evidence of ’peace in our time." Germany immediately invaded Czechoslovakia and other European nations, igniting the war Chamberlain thought his appeasement of evil had averted.
In church, we greet each other with, “God’s peace to you”. This little phrase spells out the only route to peace, God’s grace. The Bible tells us, ‘There will be wars and rumors of war…” in the end times. It also speaks of enmity between parents and children and in all other relationships.
It is naive to believe by ignoring conflict, and through our own efforts, peace will abound. Philippians 4:7 offers, ‘And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
God’s perfect peace, through His Son, Jesus Christ, is the only peace that frees us from the bondage of our sins and enmity toward each other. May each of us bask in that peace, rather than looking for it in places where it does not exist.
"Real Answers™" furnished courtesy of The Amy Foundation Internet Syndicate. To contact the author or The Amy Foundation, write or E-mail to: P. O. Box 16091, Lansing, MI 48901-6091; amyfoundtn@aol.com