in the end, it's all about common sense

Everyone knows all about the "five senses:" taste, touch, sight, smell and hearing. But we have other senses as well, how often do you use these?

A sense of compassion, of caring, of empathy, of gratitude?

I have been watching how the current elections are playing out. I have not seen anything that even resembles compassion, nor of respect. Instead I have seen bigotry, disrespect, vitriol, all manners of foul play displayed for all the world to see. It is much akin to watching preschoolers in a sandbox, flinging as much hash at each other as possible.

How about if you and I set the example? Compassion. That means to literally walk in another's footsteps and see where they are coming from. What are their needs? Do you see someone coming up from behind you as you enter an establishment? Will it ruin your day if you waited those few extra seconds to hold the door open...to smile at them and maybe bid them a good day?

Caring. You're at the grocer's anyway...do you see the box at the exit, the one that is asking for donations to the local food shelf? Do you walk right past it...or even if you do drop in something, is it more than just a box of mac n cheese?

Gratitude. Do you cultivate a sense of gratitude? "There but for the grace of God go I." If you have been blessed with much, are you grateful? Do you pass that on to someone in need? Luke 3:11 admonishes us to do this. “If you have two coats, give one away,” he said. “Do the same with your food.”

Jesus made it so easy for us. He basically gave us two commands: Love God and love your neighbor as much as you love yourself. He also said to do unto others as we'd have them do unto us. Go ahead...repeat that slowly. Now think to the news...do you see these electoral candidates reaching out to others? They sure do love themselves! And that's where it seems to end. "Pride goes before a fall." Again, Jesus tells us, "those who humble themselves will be exalted, while those who exalt themselves shall be humbled." That statement was so powerful that ALL FOUR GOSPELS mention it, probably the ONLY passage of Jesus' ministry on earth....and it was exhorted by all four Gospel writers.

Humility. Now there is a sense that we all need to cultivate more of. It is not all about me. It is not all about you, either. Instead it IS all about what we can do for OTHERS that matters.
How about it, shall we begin?