Wednesday, November 24, 2010

On Being Christ-Like

Today I read a quote on a blog-"Anyone can be nice when it is convenient. It is being nice when it's really hard that makes you like Christ."
This hit me hard. Much of the time, I am conscious of how I talk about or treat others. I really do try to be kind and talk about them nicely. If I have nothing nice to say, I try not to talk at all and walk away from a nasty conversation.
But lately, just a few times, I have said something and immediately felt horrible about it. I repent and promise I will not do it again, but I do. I feel so weak when it comes to this, maybe because it is so easy to get a shallow laugh with someone by making fun of another.
But then I read this quote. And I realized my problem. I want it to be easy! I don't want to have to work at it. I just want to ask for it once and be an unfailingly nice person.
But that's not how it works. It is tempting to be mean and hateful about someone. No doubt that sometimes it is funny to make fun. On the other hand, it is more difficult to constantly remember to be kind, to "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."
But I want to do it. I want to be someone who people can trust. Someone who doesn't back bite. Someone who doesn't say "Bless her heart..." as if blessing her little heart will cancel out the mean thing I just said.
I will not let mood swings or a bad day dictate how I treat others. I will always be the kindest I can be.
I will not let past experiences of mean behavior to me justify why it's alright to be mean to others.
No, I will take on the challenge and be like Christ.



I want to lift you up.

5 comments:

The Dark Family said...

Emily, you're amazing! That totally just hit me hard as well. Thanks for being a wonderful example!

Kristalyn said...

My mom always taught us that every comment should meet at least two of the three criteria:

1. Kind
2. True
3. Necessary

You are right; sometimes it's easy to forget. But what a good thing to be reminded of. Thank you for your beautiful post.

Jen said...

It's amazing how hard it is sometimes to be positive,
especially to those around you.

Thanks for the reminder :)

Unknown said...

This is such a good reminder to us all. :) Thanks for this! There is a MormonAd that my home teacher shared with us last week that says "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice." I think it goes along with this really well. And it's so true! Thanks Emily :)

Birtcher said...

What a good post! It's so true! I want to work at it and do the same. Sometimes i can get lazy and just let a not so kind comment slip, it's real effort when you're tired, and not your best self to stand up, shake off the easiness of being nasty and take a stand. Thanks for inspiring me em!!
-Kacie