According to the Webster Dictionary respect equates to an esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability. It can also be described as a deference to a right, privilege, privileged position, or to someone or something considered to have certain rights or privileges. This could be interpreted as the showing of respect for the flag or to the elderly. 

In today’s society it seems that the word respect has become a buzz word often heard in the circles of the young and something that they seem to feel entitled to whether that respect has been earned or not. It also seems to be held to the interpretation of the person demanding this respect resulting in this same person or persons disrespecting others to the point of violence and mayhem. 

I wish that everyone engendered a feeling of respect by others but unfortunately those who most demand it often seem to be the ones who deserve it the least. They are the ones who trample the feelings of others and disregard the rights of those around them. They are also the ones who refuse to acknowledge the special qualities of those around them whether that be hard-working parents, teachers, or shop owners. 

In the past respect was always considered something that had to be earned through hard work, a person’s personal values, or their service to those around them. I believe that it is the same today. No one can just demand respect, it must be earned. 

A couple of examples of people whom I feel have earned my respect are first most, my husband through his love, generosity, and hard work. He is a man’s man but he is capable of seeing the needs of those around him and ministering to them. Secondly, I must acknowledge our church’s pastors. Both of these men are wonderful examples of what faith in Jesus is all about. They actually visit the sick and concentrate on the needs of the people of the congregation rather than focusing on how much money they can bring in or how fancy of a cathedral that they can build for themselves.  

To some of you it may surprise you that my children have also earned my respect. Each of them has worked hard to achieve certain goals or just to survive but they have done it honestly and have always offered the respect to their father and me that in turn elevated them in our eyes. It is a truism that you must give respect in order to earn it. 

For you, people who may have engendered your respect could be outstanding teachers, bosses, or law enforcement personnel. These individuals often give tirelessly of themselves to meet the needs of others and while some may not fit this criteria most individuals entering these fields begin with the desire to be of service to others. 

If you find yourself confronted by someone demanding respect that hasn’t earned it there is little you can do but to show yourself to be a person of value and irreproachable character. Once you do this the other person can only, even if begrudgingly, see that you also deserve respect. 

Unfortunately, in today’s society some of our leaders fall into this category. They do nothing to engender our respect but because of the position they hold they seem to expect it. I am firmly of the opinion that when these same leaders take heed to Jesus’s direction to care for the “Least of These” that they will then be true leaders who deserve the respect of the entire world.