One of the finest things
in a complete Christian character
(J.R. Miller, "Learning to Be Thoughtful" 1898)
One of the finest things in a complete
Christian character, is thoughtfulness.
It gives a wondrous charm to a life.
It makes one a blessing wherever
he goes. It tempers all his conduct,
softening all natural harshness into
gentleness, and giving a spirit
of kindliness to his every word
and act, and to all his bearing.
A thoughtful person does not
have to be asked to help others--
he helps, as it were, instinctively.
He is ever ready . . .
to do the obliging thing,
to say the encouraging word,
to show an interest in the life of others,
to perform those countless little kindnesses
which so brighten the common pathway.
In much home-life, there is
a lack of thoughtfulness shown.
Not always is the speech gentle--
sometimes it is sharp and bitter,
even rude. Without being aware of it,
many of us are miserably selfish
in our life among others.
We practically forget that there
are any other people, or that we
ought to make any sacrifices,
or practice any self-denials,
for their sake.
Thoughtfulness will seek always
to say kindly words, never words
that will give pain--
but ever those that will
give pleasure. We have no
right, for the sake of saying
a bright thing, to let loose a shaft,
however polished, that will make
a loving heart bleed!
We all know in our own experience,
the value of sincere and Christly
thoughtfulness. We do not like
to come in contact with thoughtless
people. We know well how it hurts
and how unbeautiful, how unchristian,
it seems when we see it in another--
and when our heart is the one that
suffers from its harsh, rude impact.
We all long for thoughtfulness in
others; our hearts hunger and thirst
for it. It is bread and wine to us.
What we long for in others
in their relation to us--
we should be ready to give
to them. What in others
hurts us, gives us pain--
we ought to avoid in our
contact with others.
Thoughtfulness is one of the finest,
ripest fruits of Christian love--
and all who would be like
the MASTER must seek to
learn this lesson, and
wear this grace.
in a complete Christian character
(J.R. Miller, "Learning to Be Thoughtful" 1898)
One of the finest things in a complete
Christian character, is thoughtfulness.
It gives a wondrous charm to a life.
It makes one a blessing wherever
he goes. It tempers all his conduct,
softening all natural harshness into
gentleness, and giving a spirit
of kindliness to his every word
and act, and to all his bearing.
A thoughtful person does not
have to be asked to help others--
he helps, as it were, instinctively.
He is ever ready . . .
to do the obliging thing,
to say the encouraging word,
to show an interest in the life of others,
to perform those countless little kindnesses
which so brighten the common pathway.
In much home-life, there is
a lack of thoughtfulness shown.
Not always is the speech gentle--
sometimes it is sharp and bitter,
even rude. Without being aware of it,
many of us are miserably selfish
in our life among others.
We practically forget that there
are any other people, or that we
ought to make any sacrifices,
or practice any self-denials,
for their sake.
Thoughtfulness will seek always
to say kindly words, never words
that will give pain--
but ever those that will
give pleasure. We have no
right, for the sake of saying
a bright thing, to let loose a shaft,
however polished, that will make
a loving heart bleed!
We all know in our own experience,
the value of sincere and Christly
thoughtfulness. We do not like
to come in contact with thoughtless
people. We know well how it hurts
and how unbeautiful, how unchristian,
it seems when we see it in another--
and when our heart is the one that
suffers from its harsh, rude impact.
We all long for thoughtfulness in
others; our hearts hunger and thirst
for it. It is bread and wine to us.
What we long for in others
in their relation to us--
we should be ready to give
to them. What in others
hurts us, gives us pain--
we ought to avoid in our
contact with others.
Thoughtfulness is one of the finest,
ripest fruits of Christian love--
and all who would be like
the MASTER must seek to
learn this lesson, and
wear this grace.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
You may want to read the remainder of Miller's 2 page article, "Christian Conversation".
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