Am I the only one who thinks our nation has fallen off the wagon when it comes to common courtesy?
It hurts to see people so, well, RUDE.
Dictionary.com defines rude as this: “discourteous or impolite, especially in a deliberate way; without culture, learning, or refinement; or rough in manners or behavior; unmannerly; uncouth.”
Time after time, I encounter customers who cannot seem to control their tongues when something the clerk/cashier/waitress can’t control happens.
Of course, I’ve been guilty of it myself at times, but I try REALLY hard not to.
And then there are the rude drivers, who want to get where they’re going RIGHT NOW, and nothing is going to stop them. We won’t go there.
How about the husband who disparages his wife?
Or the mother who scolds her child excessively. I’m not talking about a proper scolding where the child has done something wrong and is being corrected in love, but the one where mom is degrading the child with things like, “You never do anything right. I can’t take you anywhere.” And the like. I know you’ve heard it. It breaks my heart.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7(ESV), “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
The Greek word used here is aschemoneo (say that three times fast, or maybe just once, lol). It means to act improperly or unseemly; to behave unbecomingly or even dishonorably.
But Love is NOT RUDE.
The opposite of rude (according to thesaurus.com): decent, gentle, nice, polite, refined, sophisticated, mannerly.
The fruit of the spirit comes to mind… Galatians 5:22-23(ESV), “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
These are what we should strive for.
Now, just a reminder because God brought it to my mind, which means SOMEONE needs to hear it.
God is LOVE
That means He is not rude. He will not be discourteous or impolite. He will not be rough, harsh, or unmannerly.
He is decent, gentle, and polite.
And you know what else?
God loves YOU!
Romans 5:5b(NLT), “For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”
I was speaking with a friend the other day about raising up our children. She spoke about praying with them at bedtime, reading the Bible, etc. I’ll be honest… we read the Bible together at dinner, but I’ve never been one to pray with my kids at bedtime. It’s just not something I ever remembered to do. And yet, most of my kids have a FIRM foundation in who they are in Christ.
I truly believe this is the case because I don’t necessarily DO religious things, but because I LIVE my relationship with Jesus.
It’s sometimes messy.
I fail.
I ask for forgiveness.
I love Him with all of who I am, and I hope it pours from me (“my cup overflows” Ps. 23:5c (ESV)), not only onto my kids, but to all those around me.
So as much as we TELL our kids to not be rude (or whatever), it is far better to SHOW them.
Do you want them to show love? Show love!
Do you want them to not be rude? Don’t be rude!
Do you want them to pick up after themselves? Pick up after yourself!
OUCH! Talking to myself here, btw.
When I started this post, I wasn’t sure where it was going, but in my rambling way, I hope you were blessed with my words. If you haven’t read parts 1-3 and would like to, click here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.
Blessings,
Ginger Solomon is a Christian, a wife, a mother to seven, and a writer—in that order (mostly). She writes or reads inspirational romance of any genre. Even when she’s busy homeschooling, doing laundry, or fixing dinner, reading or writing are not far from her mind. She is president of her local writing group, and blogs regularly for InspyRomance.com and at gingersolomon.com.
No, you’re not the only one who thinks common courtesy has gone by the wayside, Ginger. I shake my head at the rudeness I see on the road each day during my commute to work. People have no consideration for the other drivers…it’s all about them.
I enjoyed this series! Thank you.
Thanks Ginger, I am enjoying reading your thoughts on what Love is. This is another reminder for me that no matter how tired I get, how frustrated, stressed etc. it is not okay to take it out on others- how can I show God’s love to others if my actions don’t match the words I say?!
Blessings:)
Thanks for sharing. This post made me think and reflect back on my actions. I have to say I must do better for the sake of my son and I.
Thanks for the lovely reminder. It’s hard some days to not give into the rudeness.
Ginger,
What you shared is very timely. We live in a culture where children are being raised to be this way. I work at a middle school and I see this every day. Unfortunately many of the students have a feeling of entitlement and when it doesn’t go their way they are so rude and disrespectful. I pray daily to be an example to these students.
Thank you for your post, these were great words and not just ramblings.
I’m enjoying writing it. God does work through our writing to teach us things, so as I write these, He reminds me of what “I” need to do. Humbling.
Truly, Wemble. These posts have been reminders to me as well. ;)
Reflection is good. Doing things differently takes effort, I know. It’s worth it in the end, though. :)
Great post; agree 100% about the rudeness in this world. Couldn’t say it any better than Jill (above)…it’s all about them!
Yes, it is, Amy. I think this is what Jesus meant when he said to turn the other cheek. Don’t return evil for evil, or in this case, rudeness for rudeness. But I am as guilty as the next person of opening my mouth and spewing nastiness at times, though I try REALLY hard not to.
What is it James says… the tongue is incredibly hard to tame (paraphrased, of course).
Thanks, MF. I haven’t “seen” you before, so let me welcome you to IR.
And yes, children are being raised to be this way, for the most part. It’s sad. But rudeness is obviously not a new phenomenon; otherwise, it wouldn’t be mentioned in the Bible. ;)
I think some people are just always rude, and others, like myself on occasion, just find life overwhelming and take it out on unsuspecting family, friends, or strangers. :( I’m not excusing it, because it’s wrong. Just explaining my thoughts.
I agree with you, Jackie. I think the underlying issue in the rudeness is selfishness. People, me included, don’t get their way and take it out on everyone else. *sigh* But selfishness is another post.
We live in a “I want it now and everything is about me” society. My husband is a truck driver and deals with rude drivers all the time. As to the rest, I do have a lot to work on, especially when I am tired and cranky as I tend to snap more then.
Wonderful post, Ginger! I love the way God leads your words! <3
Loved the blog podt. I agree that everyone is ruder.
Great post! Modeling is so important, more important than words in my opinion. My son knows even when I’m not pleased with him that he is loved. Our pastor closes church service reminding is that we are loved by God. It is important to know and share!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts once again on the subject of love. I really enjoyed parts 1-3 and I think you have a way of reminding us of how amazing God’s love is.
I do not envy your husband his job, not only because of the LONG hours and miles, but because of the drivers he encounters.
As for getting tired and cranky, yeah, me, too. :D
Thanks, Autumn. I pray He does.
Thanks, Linda.
Our pastor does the same, Julianne. It is important for people, children especially to know they are loved.
Wow. Thanks, Priscila. I hope so. Everyone deserves to know the width and depth and heighth of God’s love.