R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Regard
Esteem
Significant
Protect
Exalt
Consider
Treasure
Respect is defined as esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability; deference to a right, privilege, privileged position, or someone or something considered to have certain rights or privileges; proper acceptance or courtesy; acknowledgment; the condition of being esteemed or honored; to show regard or consideration for.
Respect is about listening to others, being helpful, avoiding put-downs, and not blaming others for our own behavior.
How many believe respect is earned? How many want respect? How many insist on it? In what areas do you take the hardest hits when it comes to respect? Who do you feel doesn’t respect you? Who do you not respect? Why do you think others don’t respect you and why do you think certain people aren’t worthy of respect?
I stare at the past steps of my life and I see how I disrespected my parents and teachers and friends and pastors in my life. I see it and I acknowledge the fact that I am the common denominator in all these problems. What does that mean? Well, to put it simply, if you date seven people and every single one of them breaks up with you, claiming, “It’s not you, it’s me,” well, the common denominator in all those situations was you. You, therefore, are obviously the problem.
How easy it is for us to blame others, seeing the “speck” in their eye while ignoring the “plank” in our own. And to what end?
In light of recent events, I once again acknowledge that false harmony is not worth the effort. Might as well have an all out argument than walk on eggshells and wonder and worry and feel like a prisoner. That, however, is how we lived in the last many months.
Somehow, parties involved refuse to acknowledge the respect due parents. I don’t mean parents in general, i.e., just because you, too, have a child doesn’t mean that your own parents should bow down to you. Honor thy father and mother. That is what the Bible says. And, lo and behold, there is a period at the end of the sentence, not an ‘unless’ or ‘if’ or ‘as long as’ or any other clause to get you out of it. HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER. Honor them. Respect them. No exceptions.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T is to be given and then received, not the other way around. Sow and you shall reap. You want respect? Sow respect and you will reap a harvest of respect in due time. Give respect and then you will understand and see exactly what it means and feels like to respect and be respected.
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