Respect When It's Uncalled For

There are certain people in our society that just get respect because of who they are...

*Police Officers
*Judges
*Professors
*the President
*Teachers (maybe :) )

We are told to respect the office they hold, even if we don't know the person well enough to respect them individually. But what happens when you are asked to respect a person you know and don't like? How well do we treat THOSE folks?

There's a person in my life that I have a hard time respecting because of the way they treat me and others around me. It's hard to respect their position of authority sometimes because of how I've felt harm from them. But does the fact that I feel harmed by this person really matter when it comes to respecting them? Actually, no. I'm supposed to respect their authority no matter what. This is a hard concept for Americans who are living in a new time where we are taught to "give respect when we've received it," but is this how we should live?

Today, this person that I have trouble respecting, asked me for a favor. Part of me wanted to say, "Ha, no way, sorry," but what good would that have brought about? NONE! So I respected this person and helped them even when I didn't want to. Here's the hope...maybe the act of kindness shown to this person will help them realize the error of their own ways. Maybe my kindness will help them learn to be kind. And even if it doesn't work that way, I will have confidence in the fact that I did what I was supposed to do.

There's a great book out there that I'd love to suggest if you are struggling with respect and offense. It's called the Bait of Satan. It's an excellent resource to help you stop being offended and live life in a caring, friendly, and kind way.

Good luck and remember, you give respect for the purpose of giving, not because you are owed anything in return!