I'm Waiting for a Please

Guiding Prayer For Our Season of Fasting: 

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom,the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Myself in Truth

Holy God, let me not in my worry or fatigue, allow my tongue to go unguarded.  May I be vigilant in my respect and kindness towards others.

Nurtured and Nurturing

May our homes be a refuge of kindness and respect and a refuge from the hurts of the world.

The Gathered

Redeemer God, may we, as your church, seek to be a place where every man, woman and child can find respect and dignity. Amen

1 Peter 2:17

¹⁷ Show respect for all people. Love your brothers and sisters in God’s family. Respect God, and honor the king.

Matthew 5:43-45

Love Your Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies. Pray for those who treat you badly. ⁴⁵ If you do this, you will be children who are truly like your Father in heaven. He lets the sun rise for all people, whether they are good or bad. He sends rain to those who do right and to those who do wrong.

If you are an adult in America you have probably, at some point, waited on a “please” before granting a child their request.  Jozie knows good and well that she should never come to me with any request starting with “Get me a…” or “Get me some”.  I don’t always correct her, I just stare at her expectantly until she says please.

On Monday, Jozie and I were in my parked car about to head into Wal-Mart for some grocery shopping.  I was getting my keys and was about to get out of the car when I looked in the back seat and Jozie was just sitting there with her seat belt still on.  She can get out of her seat herself, so I just looked at her and said “Jozie are you coming?” to which she replied “I’m waiting for your manners, say please.”  I did say please, but this little response made me think about the model of respect that I am for her.  I make her say please, but do I always say please?  Do I show her the same respect that I demand from her?

Granted, as an adult it is perfectly normal to expect mannerly requests and respect from a child, but I also have to recognize that it is innate in human nature to want to be respected.  We want to know that our feelings, contributions and opinions are valued. Gossip is the opposite of respect.  In fact, it can obliterate any chance of productive collaboration if people within any group feel disrespected through gossip.

Gossip, unfortunately, is pretty much a given in today’s society and the chance of being disrespected several times in your life is a given.  How we respond to this is very telling to everyone around us. Jesus even tells us “don’t fight back against someone who wants to do harm to you. If they hit you on the right cheek, let them hit the other cheek too.” (Matt 5:39)  Jesus says this because it is unnatural.  When others hurt us or don’t show us the respect we have earned, our natural tendency is to lash out.  But Jesus shows us in this passage that love is the correct response.  Love your enemy. Go the extra mile for those who would do you harm. Give what you have to the undeserving and in doing so, love itself is the greatest defense and rebuke.

When we act out of love, it creates an obvious distinction between good and evil in any situation and the model that we provide for those whom we witness to, both old and young, will not go unnoticed.  The best way to receive respect is not to demand it.  Earn it through patience, respect for others, and a tamed tongue, especially when we think no one is looking.