No One Should Be Left Out

No One Should Be Left Out

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

“That’s the kind of friend I want my girls to have,” I told my husband as I closed the screen door firmly behind my daughters, watching as they hurtled pell-mell into the bright sunshine to be the first to reach their bikes, which were littered across the driveway, and race each other down the road.

Minutes earlier, standing in my quiet kitchen during lunch cleanup with my hands elbow-deep in dishwater, I had unintentionally overheard my outgoing daughter, Elise, and her new friend consulting about going to the other child’s house, just a short walk down the road. They were busy tying their shoes and searching for bike helmets when the friend posed a question:

“Does Noelle want to go too?” she asked Elise. “I don’t want anyone to be left out.”

When Elise agreed, they hollered up the stairs to ask Noelle if she would also like to visit the friend’s house. Noelle’s yes was immediate, and her feet thundered down the stairs as she raced to slide on flip-flops and catch up with the two older girls.

I was struck by the fact that the other child’s suggestion wasn’t the result of half-hearted politeness or adult nudging—she didn’t even know I was listening in the adjacent room. Instead, she spoke out of a true desire to be a good friend and include others within that circle of friendship. Philippians reminds us to be unselfish and think of others not just as our equals, but as our betters. That kind of bone-deep unselfish care for others and generosity of spirit provides the skills we need as friends to listen hard and love well. As a mom, that is the kind of friend I want my child to have—and it’s the kind of friend I want to be, too.

— Kristin

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Think of someone who may feel left out. Do something to help them feel more included, whether it’s calling them to chat or inviting them to an event.