Respect Through the Generations

“Wow this floor really needs swept,” he said, as he walked out of the kitchen and into the living room, where he laid down to take a nap. She was in the middle of making dinner, chasing a toddler, who wasn’t helping with the mess, doing dishes, and trying to have everything on the table so that he could eat before heading to his meeting. Her only reply was to state that the floor did need swept and that it showed up a lot on these floors.

What you should know about this interaction is that this wasn’t between a husband and wife. This interaction happened in a rather unique household, where three generations live under one roof. The first generation has graciously opened their home to the second and third generation as they work to pay off debt from student loans. So the second generation takes on a lot of the house work, along with cooking and grocery shopping. The first generation benefits by having some additional income but also from having their grandchildren in the house filling it with joy. The second generation, besides getting to pay off debt, gets to have a third and fourth set of hands to help with the kids, especially when there’s dinner to cook and second generation husband works funny hours.

This interaction took place between a father and daughter.

What’s most interesting is what the daughter has learned over the last few years of “doing The Respect Dare” is that the principles don’t just apply to marriage, but they truly extend into all areas of your life.

If the true motivation behind being respectful is that you do everything to the glory of God, then The Respect Dare and the biblical principles on respect are applicable in relationships other than marriage as well.

1 Corinthians 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

While it may not always be easy to be respectful to people, it is so important for all of us to remember that respect is not something that is earned, just like we don’t earn or deserve any of the grace, or love, or forgiveness we receive. Approaching any situation with respect is glorifying to God. Even at work, even in tough family situations, even in marriage.