The Best Way to Drive (and Shop, Dine, etc.)

Recently, while driving around town, I passed a sign in front of a house that said, “Drive as though YOUR child lives here!” The homeowner obviously is aware that as humans, (aside from the fact that in little things we often are harder on those we love), we have a tendency to protect our own family members with more care and concern than the general public. We likely drive more carefully around our own children than we do around others’ children, mostly because we are that much more aware of our own kids and the need to preserve their well-being.
 
If the safest way to drive is to drive as though YOUR child lives here, don’t you think the same would apply to countless other areas of life?
 
Wouldn’t the world be a better place if each of us did these:

• Dined in a restaurant as though the wait staff, kitchen staff, and maintenance staff was our own family?
• Shopped as though the cashier—and the irritating shopper in line ahead of us-- was our own teen or sibling?
• Studied as though our own mom or dad was the teacher (especially the substitute teacher)?
• Conducted our business as though our own loved ones were the recipients of our services?
• Used a public restroom as though our mom was (or WE were!) going to be cleaning it?
• Gave to homeless shelters and other charities as though we were giving to our best friends or favorite family members (and would they even be homeless if we recognized this as an opportunity to share what we have with those in need)?

 
What might we do differently this week as we consider how we treat others, and how we might treat them more like cherished family members?
 
Here’s a truly better way:
Matthew 25:35 New Living Translation (NLT)For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.