Rules of Engagement:

Whenever the USA is involved in military action, and that has been often in my lifetime, the news media will have reports and commentary about "rules of engagement." I found this brief definition of the term: adirective issued by a military authority specifying the circumstances and limitations under which forces will engage in combat with the enemy. Rules of engagement exist to keep combatants from killing those we don't want to kill and to prevent forces from doing something that will be regretted later. I got to thinking we could use some R. o. E. in everyday life. Avoid jumping to conclusions. Extend to others the same opportunity to explain themselves that you would like for them to give you. Be slow to take offense. Or to put it another way, interpret the actions and words of others with the same grace that you would like to have extended to you. Don't keep grudges. Unless there is a relational reset button, soon everyone will be estranged from everyone else. Let love be the default position. I'm sure my brief list could be added to, but this is a good start. There is nothing original about my thoughts. You'll find them all, better stated, in the Bible, here. I've often come away from a verbal skirmish knowing that I hurt someone who shouldn't have been hurt, or that I had burned a bridge I would need to cross later. Lord, help me to remember Your rules of engagement. It's STTA.