There are times when we can see a parent reflected in his or her children. “The apple does not fall far from the tree,” the old saying goes. We all impact people about us, and the attitudes of other people toward us is often nothing more than a reflection of our attitude toward them. Treat people with respect and you will receive respect. Be kind and kindness will follow you.

James wrote about a man who saw the dirt on his face in a mirror but forgot about cleaning it (James 1:23-24). Since we depend on others for so much, we need to observe the way they treat us. Perhaps we will see our own attitudes staring back at us, and then we can do something about it. Got a mirror?