Sticks and Stones are Tree Trunks and Boulders

So, I've been really bothered lately about all the negative I hear from people... from me! Teasing people, calling people names. Mocking how a person is or how they look. People not being helpful and lending a hand. Grown adults that need a lesson or two in manners and just politeness in general.

People sharing mocking photos on Facebook of the President... Guilty
     He has feelings too
Stepping over trash in a parking lot because I didn't put it there... Guilty
    We are to be good stewards of what God has given us
Laughing at they way someone is dressed... Guilty
    The best and THEIR best are two different things
Holding a door for someone who is behind me because I'm in a hurry... Guilty
     It's not going to strap your time... and smile, they could use it!
Imitating someone's way talking... Guilty
    A person's speech does not always determine their intelligence
Scoffing at a person's personality... Guilty
    A person's personality is as unique as a snowflake, find the good in it.

I've taken a hard look at myself and how react/respond to people in every day life. People I converse on the phone with, people I see in the grocery store, people that walk into my church. Do help when I see a need? Do I turn away because they don't look/dress quite "nice enough"?

I judge them. I judge their clothes, I judge their speech, I judge their intelligence. They don't know... I would never tell them to their face what is in my head. But it is affecting them... What I'm thinking greatly effects how I treat them. How I show them love. How I help them.

Talking a few extra steps won't kill me. The Bible says if someone asks you to walk a mile with them, go with them two. That means, go above and beyond what is expected. Jesus went to the ones who didn't look a specific way. In fact... dirty, smelly shepherds were the first ones to see Jesus. Jesus touched the lepers, He walked into the ghetto, He hugged the homeless, He ate with the destitute... people considered (and literally) unclean.

I want to show the love of Christ to others, but am I actually showing the love of Christ?

What you think of people, what you say about people... whether they know it or not... it hurts them.