Remember the story of the pokey little puppy or the five little monkeys? The pokey puppy was always digging under the fence and the five monkeys were always jumping on the bed. The moral of each story was “to be good.” It’s not surprising that when we hear the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” we always think in terms like: “If you don’t want someone to take your stuff, don’t take their stuff!” or “If you don’t like it when people lie or gossip about you, don’t lie or gossip about them!”
Our focus in raising our kids is that they “BE good.” And I think, at least for some of us as adults, that continues to be our focus. And it’s not a wrong focus on its face. We are supposed to be pure in heart and live godly lives, but refraining from evil is only half of the Christian walk. We are also supposed to DO good.
And here is where we get into the grown up application of the Golden Rule. What act of kindness would bless you today?
- Do you wish somebody would tell you that you were doing a great job? Maybe that’s a cue to pick up the phone or grab one of those note cards!
- Do you wish that someone would mow your lawn or swing by Aldi for you? Maybe it’s time to put your chore shoes on.
- Would you love it if someone dropped by with flowers or a QT card? Maybe it’s time to go do some random gift shopping.
- Do you long for someone to just shoot the breeze with? Who do you know that might be staring out the window today?
- Maybe you could use a hug? Maybe today you see someone who needs one!
No, your kindnesses don’t need to follow the five love languages, but as Emily Dickinson wrote:
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching, or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain
Just a thot,
Pastor Scott
Grace Notes 