How do you treat others? Do you have good relationships with those with whom you come in contact? Relationships are important. Consider the following story:
I sat next to the bed of an old man. a friend for more than years, and held his hand. He was dying, and we both knew these next few days would be his last.
We spent time reminiscing about his long and fruitful career as a minister.
We talked about old friends. We chatted about his family. And I listened as he offered sage wisdom and advice to a member of a "younger generation."
At a lull in the conversation, Hal seemed to carefully consider what he was about to say next. Then he squeezed my hand, gazed intently into my eyes and whispered, just loud enough for me to hear, "Nothing is more important than relationships."
I knew that this was somehow near the pinnacle of his life's learning.
As he considered all of his experience — personal, professional, spiritual, and family, this one ultimate observation surfaced above the rest. "Nothing is more important than relationships."
"Don't get overly caught up in your career," he seemed to saying to me. "Likewise, don't use people in order to achieve your goals. and then throw them away. No project, no program, no task should be pursued at the expense of friends and family. Remember" I heard him saying, as clearly as if he were speaking the words, "that to the end , only your relationships will truly matter. Tend them well."
Writer Og Mandino puts it this way: "Beginning today," he said, "treat everyone you meet as if he or she were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness, and understanding you can muster, and do so with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again."
At the end of a long life my friend Hal would have agreed.
How are your relationships? What if you showed care, kindness, and understanding to everyone you meet? But you protest, "Some people just are not lovable or they have done me wrong." Have you tried treating them with kindness and understanding. Didn't Jesus tell us "...to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you"?
How is your relationship with God? Would you act differently if you knew this was the last day for you or for others?
Vacation Bible School will soon be here; next week on July 7, 8, 9 (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) from 9 to 11:30 a.m. each day for ages 4 years old through fifth grade.
We are First Christian Church Sweet Home located three miles down DD Highway outside of Crocker.
For more information, please call 573 736-5229.
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How do you treat others? Do you have good relationships with those with whom you come in contact? Relationships are important. Consider the following story:
I sat next to the bed of an old man. a friend for more than years, and held his hand. He was dying, and we both knew these next few days would be his last.
We spent time reminiscing about his long and fruitful career as a minister.
We talked about old friends. We chatted about his family. And I listened as he offered sage wisdom and advice to a member of a "younger generation."
At a lull in the conversation, Hal seemed to carefully consider what he was about to say next. Then he squeezed my hand, gazed intently into my eyes and whispered, just loud enough for me to hear, "Nothing is more important than relationships."
I knew that this was somehow near the pinnacle of his life's learning.
As he considered all of his experience — personal, professional, spiritual, and family, this one ultimate observation surfaced above the rest. "Nothing is more important than relationships."
"Don't get overly caught up in your career," he seemed to saying to me. "Likewise, don't use people in order to achieve your goals. and then throw them away. No project, no program, no task should be pursued at the expense of friends and family. Remember" I heard him saying, as clearly as if he were speaking the words, "that to the end , only your relationships will truly matter. Tend them well."
Writer Og Mandino puts it this way: "Beginning today," he said, "treat everyone you meet as if he or she were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness, and understanding you can muster, and do so with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again."
At the end of a long life my friend Hal would have agreed.
How are your relationships? What if you showed care, kindness, and understanding to everyone you meet? But you protest, "Some people just are not lovable or they have done me wrong." Have you tried treating them with kindness and understanding. Didn't Jesus tell us "...to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you"?
How is your relationship with God? Would you act differently if you knew this was the last day for you or for others?
Vacation Bible School will soon be here; next week on July 7, 8, 9 (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) from 9 to 11:30 a.m. each day for ages 4 years old through fifth grade.
We are First Christian Church Sweet Home located three miles down DD Highway outside of Crocker.
For more information, please call 573 736-5229.
