Contempt does not fit our "way of seeing"

In yesterday’s devotional I pointed out a disconnect between the principle that I believe in (don’t treat others contemptuously) and my practice (contemptuous thoughts about the guy yelling at the clerk).  

There’s not much in that story that comforts me. That being said, I think there a couple of things worth mentioning as possible takeaways…

I believe in a principle that no one should be treated with contempt.  Here’s the deal - it matters, according to my faith, how we treat others.  If your faith experience does not have that requirement, ok, cool. But mine does say that and I am grateful to both have the scriptures to guide me in a reality check and the capacity (at least this one time) to notice when I am not practicing what I believe.  My internal response was not ideal.

Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

~ Proverbs 14:31  NIV

What core values do you have, where did you get them, how are you living them?

We have an old saying in our community that I am sure we stole from someone - when we know better, we do better.  This is one of the absolute greatest benefits of having a Higher Power, maintaining conscious contact with Him, and living in a way that we are surrounded by people struggling to “know better.”  Some days we need to celebrate the possibility that we can learn and change ESPECIALLY when our outcomes are disappointing.

What do you know that you want to do better?  How can you celebrate your effort today?