Tuesday - April 21, 2020 - How to Show Respect

April 21, 2020

“Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and with all propriety, the younger women as sisters.” I Timothy 5:1-2

I’m so thankful to have been brought up in a home where respect for others was taught. My parents keep a tight rein on us in regards to how we addressed others and treated them. It was all from a Biblical perspective, I assure you. Not only did we have to use certain language but our actions were to model the respect too.

I was taught that I should never address an adult with the familiarity of their first name unless they requested me to use it when I addressed them. Everyone was Doctor, Policeman, Fireman, Mister, Mrs., Miss etc…. As I’ve grown into adulthood, those teachings are still in place in my life. I have a difficult time addressing those older than me by their first names, but there are many that I proudly address as Mom or Dad. They are respected just like my biological parents. Even at the least, I address everyone with Yes Ma’am or No Ma’am, and Yes Sir and No Sir. It’s proper and respectful.

Those older than me have so much wisdom to impart as I walk along beside them. I watch their lives and learn to discern truths that I then place into my life. Those younger, likewise, I learn from. I see many of their behaviors in my spiritual behavior towards God, The Father. I learn to correct and adapt as God desires in my life. I carry a concern and a value in other’s lives and try to treat them like Christ Jesus would want me to treat them.

Somehow along the way we’ve dropped this form of respect and we’ve lowered our standards of how we treat people too. I’ve seen so many today, kids and adults, talk to each other with no respect that it’s heartbreaking and appalling. It’s not just Southern chivalry or politeness, it’s the way I believe that God wants us to treat others. His Word is very clear here and outlines a pattern of respect that should be a part of our lifestyle. I pray my respect for others is an example worth following. Let’s live like Jesus.

Pray for Our President and his administration

Pray for Our Governor and his administration

Pray for Our Mayor and his administration.