[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":4},["ShallowReactive",2],{"reading-1208":3},"DECEMBER 8\r\nPut on as the elect of God, kindness (Col. 3:12).\r\nThere is a story of an old man who carried a little can of oil with him everywhere he went, and if he passed through a door that\r\nsqueaked, he poured a little oil on the hinges. If a gate was hard to open, he oiled the latch. And thus he passed through life\r\nlubricating all hard places and making it easier for those who came after him.\r\nPeople called him eccentric, queer, and cranky; but the old man    went steadily on refilling his can of oil when it became empty, and oiled the hard places he found.\r\nThere are many lives that creak and grate harshly as they live day by day. Nothing goes right with them. They need lubricating with\r\nthe oil of gladness, gentleness, or thoughtfulness. Have you your own can of oil with you? Be ready with your oil of helpfulness in    the early morning to the one nearest you. It may lubricate the\r\nwhole day for him. The oil of good cheer to the downhearted one-Oh,   how much it may mean! The word of courage to the despairing. Speak it.\r\nOur lives touch others but once, perhaps , on the road of fife; and\r\nthen, mayhap, our ways diverge, never to meet again. The oil of\r\nkindness has worn the sharp, hard edges off of many a sin-hardened life and left it soft and pliable and ready for the redeeming grace\r\nof the Saviour.\r\nA word spoken pleasantly is a large spot of sunshine on a sad   heart. Therefore, \"Give others the sunshine, tell Jesus the rest\"\r\nWe cannot know the grief That men may borrow;\r\nWe cannot see the souls Storm-swept by sorrow;\r\nBut love can shine upon the way Today, tomorrow;\r\nLet us be kind.\r\nUpon the wheel of pain so many weary lives are broken, We live in vain who give no tender token.\r\nLet us be kind.\r\n\"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love\" (Rom. 12: 10).",1783499794101]