Lunch Bag Notes: Everyday Advice from a Dad to his Daughter

o you ever speak ill of others? How do you think this

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makes them feel? When others offend and hurt you, do you react hastily, and inflame the situation? Anger is

natural in these situations, but the mature person pauses, says a quick silent pray, and responds charitably. Friendships are worth saving, wouldn’t you agree?

{ Friendship } 3

Dearest Ann Marie, Each of us has time, talent, and treasure to share with our fellow man.

I urge you to exploit your talents lest they shrivel away, to offer your time to charitable and civic causes, and some day to share your treasure with those less fortunate than you.

Love, Dad

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emember: All we own is on loan from God. We are

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only stewards of his gifts. He expects us to take good care of his gifts and to share them with members of

our community. Do you feel good about the way you’re currently sharing God’s gifts? If not, how can you share your gifts with others?

{ Stewardship } 5

Dearest Ann Marie, One of the nicest things we can do for someone is to simply listen to him or her and show genuine concern. So many people listen with their own “agenda,” as if to say, “I have something more important to say than whatever you’re saying.”

Listening should be raised to an art form.

It is a challenging but necessary component of “dialogue.” The first two letters of the word—di—means two. How can we dialogue if we don’t care to listen to others?

Love, Dad

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ren’t you annoyed when you are ignored or when

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no one shows an interest in what you are saying?

Think about that the next time you have the urge to

interrupt someone else. How can you be a better listener?

{ Listening } 7