Be Easy to Live With

Some of you may have a family motto, or a common phrase that you use within your home. For my family and I, our motto is “Be Easy to Live With.” We’re not a perfect family by any means, but below are some ways in which we attempt to apply being easy to live with in our home and lives. I’ll break this down so each of us can focus on a few thoughts each day. Hope this helps.
Practicing His Presence,
Nate
Monday…

• Romans 12:18…
  • New International Version
    If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
  • New Living Translation
    Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
• Control what you can control.
• Keep yourself in the Word, so you can reflect more of His character within your home.

Tuesday…

• Set selfishness aside.
• Serve others first…give them the best portion, and serve yourself last. Be intentional in looking for ways to serve those around you.
• Don’t be difficult.
• Clean up after yourself. Spills. Never make someone else do it for you.
• Take the initiative when it comes to chores around the house.
• If you’re not going to do the dishes…at least rinse them off before setting them on the counter. If you’re not going to put them in the dishwasher, then at least offer to put them away.
• Put your own stuff away. Laundry, shoes, etc. Leave no evidence of your items laying around…where they don’t belong.

Wednesday…

• Don’t be demanding. Don’t make others do something for you that you can do yourself. Don’t sit in your chair and yell to someone else “get me this or that.”
• Always begin with a please, and end with a thank you.
• Speak kind…don’t create a drama mess. Watch your tone.
• Praise people for little things.
• Be verbally supportive of others thoughts and ideas.
• Be honest and a person of integrity.
• Find ways to keep laughter in the home.

Thursday…

• Do your best to get along with others.
• Treat others kind. Think of others. Watch your demeanor / body language. Hands to yourself at all times is the safest bet.
• Treat others the way you would want to be treated, and the way they would want to be treated.
• Do not intentionally push others hot buttons.
• If you can hear or see what you're doing, then so can others. Is it pleasant to others?
• Be patient and forgiving with others. Have a good forget-ery ("flush it; keep a short memory"). Genuine love keeps no record of being wronged by others (1 Corinthians 13:5).
• Giving people the benefit of the doubt.
• Be willing to compromise.
• Don’t allow negativity to take up residence in your house or mind.

Friday…

• Be respectful to others and their property/space.
• Helping others out with something, and not expecting anything in return…no strings attached / love unconditionally.

Saturday…

• Be the first to apologize. Humbly making sorry / please forgive me a part of your vocabulary. Be the first to set the tone.
• Be quick to repent when you have wronged others, and or when you can admit you have not done your part in the home.
• Keep current in seeking forgiveness when needed.

Sunday…

• Be a good listener. Asking intentional questions and then listening to the answer.
• Listen and help when needed.
• Learning others love languages. Learn others' interests and ask them about it. Participate in that particular interest together even if you may not be one hundred percent interested in what they're interested in.
• Find fun and different ways to show that you love someone (memorize their favorite coffee drinks / snacks).
• Be sensitive to and respectful / understanding of others' emotions.
• Pray for each other ("hard to stay mad at someone you're praying for ").