Manners

 There are very few things that make me raging mad.  Bad manners is one of them.  There is absolutely no excuse for rudeness or care-less-ness when it comes to the way we deal with other people.  The reason Im thinking about this today is because Ive just been on the receiving end of bad manners and the person concerned didnt even realise they had offended me.

Now I do recognise that it is entirely my choice to be offended.  Its a bad choice and I should be much more gracious and forgiving.  But Im just not.  I get cross when I see something which is as simple as a please, a thank you, a door held open, an offer of help with something, a recognition of effort expended NOT forthcoming.   Grrrrrrrrrr.

As I was stewing in my own grumpiness I started wondering why it is that manners are so important to us.  I work with very young children and everywhere I go, all the time, adults are instilling in them the need to say please and thank you.  Two words that most kids learn before just about any others.  Adults make a big deal about teaching their children to be polite - good manners oil the wheels of social interaction.  They add grace to our dealings with one another.  They make our interactions with each other mutually respectful.  Manners matter.   

I think the fruits of the Spirit boil down, in large part, to good manners.  Goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, patience, self control are all hallmarks of those who treat people well.  The Spirit of God, it is often said, is a gentleman.  He doesnt barge in where He isnt wanted.  He doesn't talk about Himself, manipulate or control, selfishly seek His own agenda.  He is peaceable and calm and only ever wants to talk about Jesus and the Father.  Yes, He can sometimes come like a hurricane and uproot everything in our lives.  But He does so kindly.  

Like me, you probably think you are a kind and well mannered person.  You probably make efforts to say please and thank you and to have good table manners and not talk over people and hold open doors for old ladies.  You have probably brought up your children to do the same.   But I wonder how deep our politeness goes.  I know how easily I can be provoked to be rude, cross, unkind just by someone being a bit offhand with me or something unexpected thwarting my plans for the day.   I think about the crowds in Jerusalem during Holy week.  One minute shouting Hosanna, the next shouting 'Crucify'.   Their minds were changed by people whispering against Jesus's character.  Gossip , malicious talk, spiteful lies.   We are so susceptible to being offended.  Once the lies had been believed the respect for Jesus was eroded and then the shouts of ' Crucify' began to happen.  

Note to self today - I need to be kind and polite to all at all times and when they do not return the favour I need to be kind and gracious and unoffended.  Sigh.  Off to do some homework.