Spiritual Manners

“Follow me,” Jesus said, and Simon Peter and Andrew left their nets and followed him. Just like these humble fishermen who became Christ’s disciples, we, too, seek to follow him. He performed miracles, healed the sick, raised the dead, turned water into wine, showed us how we should live, and was an example for us in all that He did.
He has said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” John 14:15
and, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” John 13:35.
How can we show our love for Jesus and for one another?
We all have opportunities to be good examples in our homes, at work, at school and in all areas of our lives.  We come in contact with the public in many places.  The store, the Post Office, church, and neighborhood functions are just a few of the places others come in contact with us.  We show others what we believe by the the words we speak, but mostly by way that we behave.  If we are minding our "Spiritual manners" than we are treating others as He would treat them.  We are helping them as he would help them.  We are being His hands here upon the earth.  How we treat others goes a long way toward setting an example.  Setting a positive example involves love and respect for others as well as a tolerance for their differences.  It is often easier to be kind to others (or even strangers) than it is to be kind to our own families.  When we are tired or ill (or in my case, under stress), are we patient with a crying child, are we understanding of a thoughtless spouse, are we trying to be more like the Savior?  Or are we more concerned for ourselves?
1 Peter 3:8  "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:"

I found it interesting that the scriptures tell us to be courteous. Respect and courtesy go hand in hand with reverence for the things of the spirit.  As we learn to have compassion, understanding and courtesy, we learn who we are and who we can be.  As we remember who we are and act accordingly, we also learn charity, which "doth not behave itself unseemly" and which will help us love others as the Savior loves each one of us.  

"Manners are like the zero in arithmetic.

They may not be much in themselves,

but they are capable of adding

a great deal of value to everything else". 

 Freya Stark