Be polite with everyone—first of all, the members of your own family. Sometimes we feel, we could be rude with our own family members but nice to people outside. No, we must begin with kindness to those closest to us first. ~Fr. Thomas Hopko
Anyone who has children knows that when they are out among others, especially school or childcare, they are typically on their best behavior and it is said they save up all their tensions and angst for those they feel the most secure with. We see it all the time.
I think, perhaps, even as adults, we tend to do this without really thinking about it. We are like children and when we feel safe and secure in our homes is when we tend to be at our worst, most especially when we are tense, anxious, tired, hungry. Every once and awhile I can stop myself and really think about my behavior in the context of another place. “Would I really say this or that to my child(or husband) if I were in a store, or at church?”
Fr. Thomas is speaking about just this. We must work hard to be polite to everyone, especially those we live with. Ohhhh, it is so hard sometimes!
Romans 12: 9-21 is titled “Behave Like a Christian”. If you get the chance to read through it in it’s entirety, I urge you to. Fr. Thomas is speaking of this portion of scripture, I do believe. It says such things as:
“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love…”
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
“Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.”
and this…
“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”
Let us live peaceably within our homes!
Let us kindle joy within our homes by being polite, “kindly affectionate to one another”.
Have a beautiful week, my joys!
Kindler of Joy! 