CHOOSE: GOD'S WORD

All. 

Three little letters. An adjective indicating the entire quantity. The all of the all.

Then God spoke all these words. (Exodus 20:1) 

That sentence,"Then God spoke all these words," preceded the 10 Commandments. (Exodus 20: 2-17)--- a foundation for us---both as a spiritual basis for our lives as well as moral and ethical basis for our conduct.

A paraphrase of the first commandment sums up the basis for all the commandments to me...... 

above all else, love God alone.

Whether one's Bible is large or small, the words therein are all God's word.

Open it to find that all of them are the basis for all truth!

I choose all of God's word for the foundation of my faith.

"Traves-TEAs vs. Nicie-TEAs"

demonstrating all expressions of humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another in love. (Ephesians 4:2, ISV)

My maternal grandmother cornered the market on nicieties. Not in finery or elegance, but in politeness. Politeness in every "manner of her life." 
That's it---manners. Good old fashioned manners. Rudeness not allowed.

My introduction to "proper" behavior came from watching Mama Davenport's lifestyle, along with my Emily Post Book of Etiquette, a high school graduation gift. She didn't have a book of etiquette, Mama just had the "Good Book." 

All those godly attributes from the "good book" are the nicieties she practiced every single day. Thinking of others. Putting others first.

Mama's nicieties left everyone in her path feeling, not only acknowledged, but fully appreciated. She didn't share her life in words or "posts." She embraced others in relationship. 

She would have had trouble with "tweeting" her every move and meal on Twitter. She would want to take the time to "ask after" others. 

Maybe that's the traves-TEA of our rampant epidemic of sharing----we don't "ask after" others.

This week's college graduation for a family member had me privy to an interesting comment. Mom, he's so nice. When he takes me to a restaurant, he leaves his iPhone in the car. Isn't that nice?

Nice indeed. A BIG cuppa nicie-TEA! Ah-h-h, it's nice to be nice!