Giving the Benefit of the Doubt - More Christ in Christmas

 My Christmas ABC's

M is for mercy - Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." (Matthew 5:7 KJV)

My husband is so good about giving people the benefit of the doubt, believing they had good intentions, seeing the best in them. Jesus also said, "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven." (Luke 6:37 KJV)

Remember to treat others the way you want to be treated, mercifully.

Thoughtfulness - More Christ in Christmas

 My ABC's of Christmas

C is for Compassion - "But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." (Matthew 9:36 KJV)

Verse 8 says, And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

As we go about our days, driving, working, shopping, running errands, etc., we will encounter all sorts of people. Everyone we meet has some challenge in their life, some hurt, some pain. Most don't know the Shepherd who can lead them to green pastures and give them rest. Perhaps if we look at them through the Shepherd's eyes we too will be moved with compassion to be more patient, more helpful, more cheerful. We can lead people to know the compassion of the Shepherd by sharing our own.