Love Others, Be Kind and Respectful

Hey there! I know I have been MIA for awhile. This time of year is extremely busy for my family and me. Between settling back into work in a new school year, a new position, coaching volleyball, and taking some graduate courses, blogging has been neglected. But I’ve had a post brewing in my mind for a month or so, and I really want to get it “down on paper” before I forget it!

Some might say this post is long overdue. Some might say it is timely no matter when it was published.

Let me start by saying that I have one purpose in mind as I write this…a reminder to all to love others and to be kind and respectful. I am not sharing these thoughts to stir up some type of debate–although I’m well aware that the topic may lean toward controversial in this day and age. In my opinion, the debate has gone on long enough and many on both sides have forgotten the simple rule of disagreement: Treat others the way you want to be treated. Some don’t even realize that “golden rule” has Biblical roots (check out Matthew 7:12).

Anyway, let’s get this started.

My position as a teacher and coach has me interacting with students from Kindergarten to high school. I’ve watched a situation develop in our small, rural high school this year that has disturbed me. I’m not going to give specifics, but I will tell you that a new administration is attempting to enforce policies that have already been in place (but neglected). There has been a huge push back from the students. Some students attempted to solve this in a diplomatic way through the student council organization; however, the vast majority of students (much to my own kids’ frustration) have chosen to try to make their point through protests, willful rebellion, and disrespectful “discussions” with the administration. The disrespectful attitude got so bad that even the student council members who were working for the student body to attempt to get the policies changed decided not to continue…because well, let’s face it, no one wants to reward bad behavior.

Why am I telling you this?

Because we have failed. Our American society has failed. Even Christians have failed to remember the golden rule in the midst of disagreement.

It seemed to start during the presidential election, and it has continued and gotten worse. Somehow we forgot that the candidates were real people. People with feelings. People with families who love them. People with souls.

I will admit that even I found a political joke humorous on occasion, but when I really stopped to think about it, I had to admit that the Lord probably didn’t share my amusement. We didn’t just forget to see political candidates as real people, but also those that disagreed with our choice. My social media feeds filled up with these “jokes” and/or “rants” and to be honest, I unfollowed many friends (even those who were obviously leaning toward my candidate). This general attitude of “hatred” (let’s call it what it is) moved on from the political arena to any and all who disagreed with us on any issue. Social media exploded with the spewing of hate from both sides. The news has glorified all that promotes more hate, more violence.

And our kids have been watching it all.

They’ve learned to stand up for their rights–but not in a good way. They’ve learned that throwing “tantrums” gets attention. They’ve learned that being disrespectful and rude is okay if you disagree with someone. They’ve learned to see people who don’t agree with them as combatants to be conquered by spewing hate and disrespect. They’ve learned to forget those are real people with real feelings…just like them.

Some of you may be saying, “Amen!” right about now; but even Christians have been guilty. I’ve read posts and comments from those proclaiming the name of Christ that are just as hateful and certainly do nothing to point a lost world to the Lord.

It makes me sad.

Let’s do better.

Let’s be different.

Let’s remember that we represent the Lord in all that we do, say, and yes, even type.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14