“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Col. 3:14, ESV)
One by one, the musicians in the orchestra seat themselves on stage—each warming up by playing scales, notes and parts of the music they’ve prepared. None of it sounds very good because everyone is doing their own thing. Soon, the first chair violinist enters and plays one note. EVERYONE in the orchestra tunes to that note and they are all “together”—but it is not until the orchestra conductor lifts his baton and directs everyone in the playing of the music, that it all comes together… in perfect harmony.
When we live our life through the practice of loving others, we are setting up all the players in our life to be bound together in a similar perfect harmony—conducted by the One (God) who orchestrates life.
Let’s pray that we can practice loving thoughts that transfer into actions to help our children realize and recognize the importance of loving others well. When they see us get along in our marriage, with our siblings, extended family, and friends, they will have the example they need to make the right kinds of choices to will help them live in harmony with others, too.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.” (James 1:17-18, ESV)
Manners matter. Saying “please” and “thank you” are important in showing kindness and gratitude.
It seems few people feel the need to write thank you notes anymore. I’m not sure why. Let’s consider the giving of a gift. The giver must first consider what to give; then search for the gift, purchase or make the gift, wrap it and the present the gift. Just adding up the time it took should encourage the receiver to at least say, “Thanks for the effort!” But in saying or writing a “thank you” for a gift, we are acknowledging the giver’s kindness… in thought and in action. What might take the giver hours to complete, will take the recipient but 5 minutes to express a written thank you.
Let’s pray that we can transfer this simple lesson on gratitude to the larger realm of what God has done for us. Let’s teach our children to recognize and thank God for the many ways He blesses, the way He bestows upon us gifts, the way He provides and protects. And by expressing thanks to others, our children will learn how much more important it is to thank Him, too!
Written by Cindi Ferrini
