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.