dar334

Several times a day I think or speak the word “respect” in some form or another, and for effect, I generally use an adjective or adverb in front of it.  Sometimes I’m relaying my feelings and sometimes I’m voicing my approval and sometimes ……. I’m judging.  Sometimes it’s in regards to my feelings toward someone and sometimes it’s how I think others treat someone.  There are a multitude of ways it can be used, and abused, and I think I’ve pretty much covered them all.

Just so I’m in the right pew, off I went to google for the full meaning:

—  Respect:  noun  a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements;   verb   admire (someone or something) deeply, as a result of their abilities, qualities, or achievements.

And that’s where the ponder began ……………..

I will admit that when my Christian journey truly began, I tended to point my finger at the faults of others, causing me to lose respect for them, but as my knowledge and understanding grew, I found that same finger pointing right at ………. ME?!  I also now believe the reason a lot of people stay away from the Instruction Book is they see themselves in the words and a lot of the time they don’t like what they see so they turn away, thus showing the lack of respect for God.  I can’t afford to turn away.  I need the Word.  And I need it badly.

In the Word I’ve found ways to turn my lack of respect in to a better understanding of  whom I need to respect.  I’ve experienced the deep hurt of the loss of respect and I’ve also found that lack of respect only hurts me.  I’ve found that when I’ve lost respect, I’m not the one to take revenge for the wrong that caused it, I’m to leave that for God to avenge.  I’ve found I need to forgive for the wrong, but I’m still unable to forget.  I’ve found that with my forgiveness, I also put up a wall with a “DO NOT ENTER” sign placed permanently on the door.  And that’s why I stay in the Word, because I need to learn to forget and take that sign down.

Our Lenten study at church this year and a book by Charles R. Swindoll both have me reeling with thoughts and delving into my soul for ways I can turn around those things that make me angry and unable to respect, unable to respect some of my own thoughts and actions.  The one that caught my attention a few minutes ago was this from the book of Moses, by Mr. Swindoll:

•  I have never lost respect for any individual who replied to a question with the answer, “I just don’t know.” On the other hand, I have lost a great deal of respect for those who knew they were wrong, and knew that I knew they were wrong, but could not bring themselves to admit it.

I admit I’m guilty of having a hard time admitting when I’ve been wrong.  But on the same note, I’ve also been guilty of losing respect for others that won’t admit they were wrong.  But I’m doing my best to let God avenge in both examples.

So in closing, I will cling to this piece of scripture from Colossians 3:23:

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

I believe in doing the above, you are showing respect.

*NOTE:  Colossians has a red squiggly line under it.  To this I say “SERIOUSLY?!”  It truly is a sad sad world in with we live.

Pondering something at all times makes one very tired,  and I’m pooped.

-dar