| Finding the Way |
Chapter 15 |
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If we love others as Christ loves them, we will seek always to please them. We will never speak superciliously. We will never reveal vanity or self conceit in our intercourse with those about us. There is a way of criticizing and reproving that is offensive and impertinent. Love gives us no right to judge and condemn. It does not authorize us to watch others or to treat them censoriously. If we have love in our hearts we will seek to save others from sin, to restrain them from wrong doing, but we will do even these services in lowliness and love, so as to win and not to lose those we reprove. Humility will mark our every word and act. We will always be gentle and kind, speaking in love when we must say anything unpleasant, anything that will give pain.
Another reason we should seek to please others is that every one needs encouragement and cheer. It is possible for us so to bear ourselves in our relations to others as to make life harder for them. On the other hand, we have the power of adding immeasurably to the strength, the cheer, and the energy of others about us. Words of encouragement are wondrous inspirations. An artist said that his mother’s kiss made him a painter. That is, when she saw his crude work and thought she detected in it indications of genius, instead of laughing at what he had done, she kissed her boy with encouragement and gave him an impulse which sent him on his way with energy and hope.
But children are not the only persons who need encouragement, and are pleased and helped by words of appreciation. We never get too old or too high up in our work to be cheered and stimulated by sincere commendation. When we read a book that helps us, no matter how distinguished the author may be, we will please him and do him a real kindness if we will write him a few words of grateful recognition, telling him how his book has helped us. When the preacher has spoke earnestly and his words have given us cheer, or comfort, light on some dark problem, or help in some perplexity, however great he may be, however praised among men, a word of encouragement from the humblest person in his audience will send a glow of warmth and cheer into his heart – pleasing him for his good.
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