Edith Schaeffer on kindness...

I'm continuing to blog my way through Carolyn Mahaney's Feminine Appeal, at EQUIP book club. Today's chapter is about kindness. Here's a quote I shared from Edith Schaeffer, where she talks about teaching love and compassion to children:

Often one is asked, "How does one get children to have compassion and love for others?" One important way is by demonstrating love and compassion in action, not just talking about it. I do not mean organisational action but human care, in taking time, thought, energy, imagination, and creativity to fulfil some total stranger's need. Nothing can be be given in a 'course of study' which can substitute for the day to day observation on the part of the children in the home of a mother or father who truly treat human beings as human, and not machines. It is of course costly, in time and energy. "What a waste if time!" some might remark. But the 'waste' is what brings forth the most amazing results, many of which are hidden from us in this life, results in others living in and sharing the home; and results in the unknown strangers too.

You can read my thoughts about this topic here.