Respect

“Men are respectable only as they respect”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

There are many people in my life who I respect for all kinds of reasons.  I respect my parents and my wife’s parents.  I respect by boss.  I respect those in the church who are in leadership.  I respect my teachers.  I respect the political leaders throughout our country.

One person who I respect is Ray Rivera.  Ray was one of my youth leaders at the church where I grew up in New Jersey.  I looked at him as an authority figure, as a spiritual guide, and as a family friend.  Ray and his wife Joann always had time for me if I needed someone to talk with.  While I knew that he wasn’t perfect, I saw him making good decisions and leading with integrity and with a servant’s heart.

It’s wonderful that we have people in our lives like Ray Rivera – people who deserve respect not just because of their positions of authority but also because of their actions.

As parents, God has put us in a position that warrants respect.  One of the Ten Commandments instructs us to give honor to our parents.  As our children continue to grow, they begin to strive for respect from their parents and from others.  One thing to remember is that respect is not given, it’s earned.

Have you led your kids in a way that deserves respect?  If not, there is hope!  It’s never too late to make a change.  Also, it’s important to understand that the positive steps you take today will have an impact for the long haul.  When you positively parent your kids, you are not just impacting them.  You are making a difference for generations to come.

Who do you respect?