SERENDIPITY: Polite Moments

Monday, March 28, 2011

Polite Moments

From the book, Polite Moments by Gary and Cathy Maldaner……

Go out of Your Way to Find Ways to Help Others

Become to others what they need, for the cause of Jesus Christ. Always have the attitude of, "What can I do to help this person?" "How could the Lord use me in this person's life?" Be eager and willing to comfort someone, carry groceries, open doors, rake leaves, shovel snow, wash windows, etc. Have no thought of receiving gain for yourself - whether in money or praise. Try to put yourself in another's place, and unselfishly give of yourself. Phil. 2:4.

First of all, my kids would never know how to shovel snow, they would be rolling in it and asking themselves, "What is this?" Besides shoveling snow, this is something that is very close to my heart. I want my kids to grow up knowing what it means to serve others. Weaving this trait into every single day. At home, with their siblings, it is probably the toughest. But, I keep at it. If they have a great soccer game, scored the winning goal, and then remember to pick up the trash off of the field (without being asked). Holy cow! The winning goal becomes secondary to the trash pick up. If we have a great running result and she shares with me that she prayed with a couple of girls before a race! Holy cow! The run was great but the prayer is extraordinary. Get my point? Now that I have an older child in sports, I am around people who are a little consumed with the sport. I am quick to say, this sport does not define her or him. Their heart, character is who they are. The sport gives them more opportunities to grow and serve others. Thank God continually for the blessings of that sport. It is never who they are. God has given us so many opportunities to serve. Teaching our kids to go out of their way and look for these opportunities is something they can carry with them for the rest of their lives. The funny thing is, when they start doing these things, their hearts feel good. You know what I mean? In the begining they appreciate the, "Good job!" or "I am so proud of you for helping," but then they want to do it. Opening doors, picking up trash, saying thank you more…..it feels good to be nice. It is just plain 'ol being polite :)

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IF by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, or, being lied about, don't deal in lies, or being hated don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise; If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim, If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two impostors just the same; If you bear to hear the truth you've spoken twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, and stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools; If you can make one heap of all your winnings and risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, and lose, and start again at your beginnings, and never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew to serve your turn long after they are gone, and so hold on when there is nothing in you except the Will which says to them; "Hold on!" If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch, If either foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the earth and everything that's in it, and which is more, you'll be a man, my son!

My Dad

our last christmas, little did we know!! we miss you-you are always in our thoughts. We sold his house, it was as if we had to say goodbye again. Nothing but fond memories. Movie night, hide and go seek, fishing, the beach, pool table, weight room, ice cream, bagels, peach diet iced tea, laughing...simply you. Miss you more than you will ever know. It feels as if it was just yesterday, thank God you are "free". "With your final heartbeat, kiss the world goodbye, go in peace and laugh on Glory's side. And fly to Jesus, fly to Jesus, fly to Jesus and LIVE....." .