Good Words for Today: September 27

“If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that” (Matthew 5:47). We often overlook this. One part of loving our enemies is greeting them graciously when we see them. Sometimes instead of turning the other cheek, we turn away so we won’t have to say hello to someone who has hurt us. Some of us have been quite adept at looking the other way, ducking into a room, crossing the street, or even using Caller ID to keep from greeting people we don’t like. But if we only greet our friends, what benefit is that? Do not even sinners greet each other? One part of loving your enemies is to greet them instead of avoiding them. Smile, shake hands, and say hello to your enemies. It will do you good, and it will shock them because you treated them with kindness.

September 27, 2016