Thought for the Week

It happened a long time ago in a restaurant we enjoy as a family. Another family came in and was seated. It did not take very long for the littlest member of the family throw a ‘howling fit’; screaming, throwing things, banging on the tray of his high chair. Other diners drew back and lots of folks stared. The father rose and lifted the little guy out of his high chair and they marched out the door and across the parking lot. They were gone a little while, but when they came back, things were different. The little guy sat in his high chair and seemed contented. He was given some crackers to munch on and seemed to enjoy them. Food came and the meal went on and ended comfortably. At least one other father stopped at the table and offered a comment. We did not know what it was but it seemed complimentary. I expect you have seen such a thing. It might have happened in a grocery store, a department store, or another restaurant. We are not born with good social graces. They must be learned. Parents are to be primary teachers. But, of course not all parents have good social graces themselves, so sometimes things go awry. It is not always children who display bad public behavior. God has set us in families. His intention is that families should learn to model good behavior. There is good reason for that. God is Himself the Father and it is His primary duty to teach His children how to behave. Not all humans accept the Fatherhood of God. It then means that humans must work at teaching each other how to behave. Not an easy task for we are inborn with a stubborn and selfish dispositions. Often folks with such a disposition do not always see it as wrong behavior. So, we have conflict on all kinds of levels from family to national. But God has actually given written instruction in His Holy Word. We need to read His Word and search for ways we may improve our character in general and social graces as well. One of the Biblical examples happens while John, The Baptist, was having his ministry. People came from all over to hear him and be baptized. His message was a call to repentance’ Repentance means to turn away from what you are and have been and turn to God. It is a fresh start, a start over, a new beginning. Great numbers of people realized they need this. Yet, many of them did not actually know what was required in this new beginning and new lifestyle. They did the right thing and asked John. He gave them good answers. Of course life was different then, less complex, perhaps, but his instructions were easily modified if we will put in the time to think through. A general guide is for people to treat others the way they would be treated. I have a few proposals: Does this behavior Glorify God? Does it typify Jesus Chris? Does it satisfy The Holy Spirit? Does ti identify with behavior taught in the New Testament? Will it edify my fellow man? Will it purify my life? Will those who love me be pleased? Eventually, will I be pleased? Do I want my children, those who follow my example, to also do it this way? You may think of other standards but I propose these as a guide. I think if we would carefully practice these we could be pleased to live in such a society with these social graces. It is always a good idea if you are not sure about something to ask God.

Scriptures to Read

I Timothy 3:14-16

St. Luke 3:3-9

St. Luke 3:10-11

St. Luke 3:12-13

St. Luke 3:14-18

St. Luke 3:19-20

St. Luke 6:27-36