YOUR CHARACTER COUNTS (PART 5)
COURTESY IN EVERYDAY RELATIONSHIP (II Timothy 2)
Beloved, one of my Mentors in faith once told me, “Relationship is a choice,” you are the one to choose your friends, you know your friends, It is not everyone who calls you a friend that are your friends, only you know who you want to relate with as a friend.
Proverbs 18:24 says “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
“A friend loveth at all times and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)
A friend can be a brother but a brother may not be a friend.
Man is a gregarious being; wanting to associate with others of likely minds.
Few are fortunate enough to win friends and acquaintances wherever they go, while some are unable to attract friendship due to their mannerism.
However, it is of note that The Scriptures warned us in James 4:4 “…Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God.” Who are your friends?,”.. evil communications corrupt good manners”. (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Now that you have chosen your friends, how courteous have you been to grease the machinery of friendship. Manners maketh a man.
Far too many of us fail to cultivate charm of manner and courtesy in our everyday contacts. As an African, it is a culture of our forefathers, and as a Christian, it is a virtue unto moral excellence.
Courtesy in everyday relationship is a vital tool in sustaining the bond of friendship.
An honest friend, although he may be blunt at times to the point of rudeness is better than an insincere acquaintance who flatters us with charming praises.
“Wealth maketh many friends”, (Proverbs 19:4a) but it is possible at times to be too outspoken, and many can do well by handling the truth with courtesy and tact, because many a friendship had been hurt or killed through this.
It is of importance to understand the temperament of each other in a relationship, our familiarity should make us more considerate of their feelings, we must be less brutal in our remarks to people around us even when they are working with or serving us.
Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:1-9 admonished the Children to honor their Fathers and Mothers; but also warned the Parents not to provoke their Children to wrath.
He admonished Servants to serve in singleness of the mind with good will, doing the service of The Lord and likewise the Masters to be courteous forbearing threathings, knowing that your master is also in heaven, neither is there, respecter of persons with Him”.
Courtesy is of “The Spirit”; it is based upon a genuine liking and regard for others; a respect for individuality.
“Respect beget respect”, Life is a chain, we need each other to couple the bond of relationship.
The courteous person usually reveals a strong character.
In relationship, we rub up one on the other leaving an impression, but what that impression is, depends upon ourselves. We can scratch, leaving an unpleasant effect, while we can rub gently, leaving an impressive and pleasant glow, which will radiate in ever widening circles all arround us.
“Courtesy is catching.” How often do you return a pleasant answer to an awkward remark?.
Any mannerism which is unpleasant is discourteous.
Such phrases like
“Will you please?,“
“Will you be so kind as to….?, “
“Would you mind?, “
“After you,”
“sorry to trouble you,”-
These are little courtesies that can help to break the present clog of everyday life.
Courtesy breaks the power of haughtiness, no matter our position in life.
We are all equal in the presence of God, and we must understand that life is a cycle, the downtrodden today can be the rulers tomorrow, whatever impression you made today will be an indelible mark on the sands of time.
Show courtesy in your everyday relationship.
(The Recreated Vessels)