Harmony

1 Peter 3:8-9 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Each week at Starbucks, ice water is part of my order.  Recently, a cashier remembers that I want water even when I forget to order it.  Most of them now know that I like my scone warmed up on a plate with a fork. . . . 

1 Peter 3:8 says "live in harmony" thinking of that on global terms is overwhelming.  I’m sure we would agree that it would be next to impossible.   But, living in harmony in our world, with the people around us, that is possible.  You may be thinking, but you don’t know my sister-in-law! But God does, He knows everyone we know and He still asks us to live in harmony, be sympathetic and love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.  Sometimes we just don’t know where they are coming  from, we haven’t walked in their shoes.  And, sometimes they are just wired differently and can be hard to connect with.  We can’t change anyone, but we are responsible for our own actions and responses to difficult people.   

. . . this group of employees work more in harmony than I have seen in the past at this particular Starbucks and that leads to treating the customers better too.  Harmony, it’s a good thing.