I read where one of our states passed a law requiring students to be polite. School-aged children would be required to use words like “please” and “thank you” and they must address their teachers as “sir” or “ma’am.” I think it’s a great idea. Have you noticed how rude and abrasive people are these days?
My first week as the administrator of a Christian Home, an employee stormed into my office and proceeded to unload her frustrations on me. I don’t recall what her grievance was but I do remember her obtrusive and obnoxious manner. And she had an extensive vocabulary of four-letter expletives that she crafted quite eloquently. My guess is that her mother had never introduced her to the taste of Ivory Soap.
A few years ago my own pastor had to call me into his office to address my own harshness. He told me that I should learn to be more like a “velvet covered brick”. He explained that it is O.K. to be firm on principles, but it is never right to be rude.
I find that being a brick is easy but, wearing the velvet; not so much. Sometimes my velvet gets worn a little thin and I have to keep patching it up. I have a couple velvet-covered brick bookends in my office as a reminder to keep my speech in check.
What impressions do we make on others? Do we speak kindly with respect and love or are we just rude and nasty? Anyone can yell at a waitress, chew out a clerk, or let off steam at a receptionist. It is much more difficult to be kind and gentle, to demonstrate patience and understanding, and to practice self-control. Not only is it worth the effort but it is evidence of the indwelling Spirit of God in the life of a Christian.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Gal.5:22,23
