An Unlikely Bridge

An Unlikely Bridge

Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

James 4:17

Do you remember when gentlemen routinely opened doors for women? And women thanked them politely for doing so? Whatever happened to that kind of courtesy? It just does not seem to exist much anymore, and I miss it.

I tend to feel that many men stopped acting like gentlemen when women stopped being ladies. Many women campaigned for “equal rights,” and we got what we thought we wanted, but in many cases it did not turn out to be what we expected it to be. Men are no longer sure how to act, and some err by doing nothing at all. As Dr. Phil says, “How’s that working for you now?”

Sir Walter Raleigh—the gallant example of courtesy and gentlemanliness—would have had to devise different techniques if he lived today. In Philadelphia one day, an obviously authentic descendant of Sir Walter encountered three girls who were marooned on the curb of a downtown street. A violent cloudburst had left a deep puddle in the poorly drained street, stretching nearly all the way between them and the trolley they wished to board.

Two of the girls had attempted to jump the puddle only to land in water over their ankles. The third was still standing on the curb in despair when a sedan rolled up and stopped directly in front of her. With a flourish its driver opened the rear door on her side, then opened the other rear door. Catching the idea, the young lady proceeded to step through the car and onto the trolley, perfectly dry. Tipping his hat, the driver closed his doors and proceeded to drive away. The girl called out, “Thank you!”

What happened to chivalry? It’s still alive and well in Philadelphia!

Gracious Father, help me to show courtesy and politeness to those around me, because I know that those attributes are reflections of you. And please help me to take every opportunity to do good. Amen.