“Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.” (Jacob 2:17)
We have a motto in our house: “People are more important than things.” When my kids are fighting I ask them if they are treating their brother as if he were more important than the things. It is amazing how just that simple mind shift can resolve conflict and foster kindness—A simple reminder of the worth of the human in front of them.
When our hearts are full of love and compassion, we are able to see our fellow human beings more clearly. We can see them as Christ sees them. We see them as our family—brothers and sisters who are struggling and just trying to make it through this life—just as we are. When we see the person for who they really are—a child of the same God we lovingly call Father—we find a way to help. We see the real value of all our “precious” things and being “free with [our] substance] is a natural extention of the love in our hearts. We must see our neighbors, stranger, those who may be struggling from addiction or circumstances beyond their control. We have to see them for who they are and think of them as we would think of our selves.
Meditation and Journaling Prompt: Who can you empathize with today? Who needs you? What do you have to give today? Your time? Money? Food? Love? Prayers?
Mindfulness Tip: When you pause to breathe today, repeat to yourself our family motto: People are more important than things.
