Respect

Respect: has our culture lost it? Oh, we're big into respecting ourselves, but what happened to the time when youngsters called their elders with a respectful Mrs. or Mr.? No, it's not gone all together but it is getting rare, especially in middle school aged kids. The Bible tells us repeatedly to respect our elders. In fact, 40 kids in the Old Testament were attacked by a she bear because they taunted the prophet Elisha. Now, it's not necessarily how one addresses an elder that marks whether or not it is respectful. For instance, at work I am one of the youngest employees, but for the sake of equality and convenience, I call most by their 1st names. But I try to do so with the highest amount of respect. For indeed it is the heart and motive thereof that is important.

Perhaps this is why there is a high rate of teen rebellion and high school dropouts, young people have generally lost respect for any authority that questions their own. Parents who spoil their child are unintentionally teaching them that they will always get what they want, hence, in an attempt to love them, they really are setting them on the path to destruction. It is so neat to see young parents bringing up their child in the fear of the Lord. For in reality those who discipline their child are loving them enough to tell them that they must respect authority, specifically God's authority, to live a life worth living: A life that is pleasing to Him.