Lindsay Roberts
Courtesy seems to be a lost art in our generation. I recall an incident years ago when I was pregnant; in fact, I was overdue. I was shopping at the mall with my mother when we came to a heavy glass door. To be polite, I reached out to open the door for her. Struggling with the door, with a package in hand and being “great with child,” I was surprised when a young man pushed his way through the door right past me. Without a word of thanks, he just kept on going, seemingly unaware of his thoughtless actions.
At times we’ve all observed rude people, and we wonder what happened to the polite, respectful behavior we saw in the days of TV series such as Leave It to Beaver and Father Knows Best.
Courtesy still counts in our world today. Like the common cold, courtesy is contagious. A smile or an opened door can brighten someone’s day. The words please and thank you can work wonders.
The Bible teaches us the importance of courtesy and kindness. 1 Peter 3:8 NKJV says, All of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another, love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous. Now, maybe courtesy is a lost art, but it needs to be resurrected. And it can be if we obey that Scripture. Each day we can bless someone through our words and actions.
Why not begin today to look for ways to be thoughtful and show kindness to those around you? You won’t have to look far for an opportunity.