If the words you speak to a stranger
are more kind
than the ones you share with those who gather around your table,
more sweet than the morsels you deliver to the one who shares your bed,
then, perhaps, you have good manners.
But good manners are not a fruit of the Spirit.
“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:23-23, New International Version, 2010) Emphasis mine
Why is it easier sometimes to show kindness to everyone but those living under your roof? Do you have this struggle, or am I alone in uttering careless words to my loved ones that I would never say to anyone else?
Link up your post on kindness below, and please link back to my post with either a hyperlink or my button (grab the code off the sidebar). Be sure to read some of the other posts who have joined us, and show some kindness by leaving comments on the other blogs! Thank you for taking this journey with us!
http://www.simply-linked.com/listwidget.aspx?l=807b01a4-50e2-4752-9dcc-7b80625af071
Jennifer Vignola Davis 
Beautiful, Jennifer. Simple, yet powerful. Thank you for the reminder!
LikeLike
Oh, wow, Jennifer. Yes, what Gaby said. Thank you for the reminder! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for stopping by! Trust me–I need the reminder just as much as anyone else!
LikeLike
{Adding this}: I need more of Galatians in my life. Thank you for the SECOND reminder.
LikeLike
Wow, you nailed that message with such powerful simplicity.
I'm sorry I'm not linking up today…how is it that I could write about forbearance last week, and not kindness this week? That must say something unflattering about me!
LikeLike
Oh, Michelle, if only you knew how tough it's been for me to write all of these posts! Forbearance about killed me last week. This week, all week, I heard this sentence (more or less) over and over. I was hoping to witness a moving story of kindness this past week, but it was just this sentence. I guess it's a lesson I need to learn!
LikeLike
I couldnt have said it better myself…beautifully written! Thanks for the reminder!
LikeLike
Maybe it's easier because strangers don't leave their shoes where you will trip on them, and don't take off their diapers off and play in the contents. Just a guess. 😉
Seriously, this is wonderful reminder to be intentional with your words. I will focus on that today, thanks to you. Great post – I love the foot picture, so sweet!
LikeLike
Ah, yes. Just wait until your little one finger paints her bedroom walls with the 'contents' of her diaper. My little man did that, and that was the closest I came to throwing up when not actually sick. 🙂 I'm glad you like the picture–I was hesitant to show my feet!
LikeLike
I decided to start a study on the topic of the Fruits of the Spirit as a goal for myself this year! I am so blessed to have found you blog. As I get farther into the study I'll add links but I doubt my thought will be as humble and uplifting as yours!
LikeLike
I'd love for you to share your insights some time; we can learn from each other! Thank you for your kind comments!
LikeLike
You're so right. Sometimes I feel like I'm all kindess'd out by the end of the day! What a great reminder here …
LikeLike