Why Can’t We Just Be Respectful?

Sometimes those of us in the “older” generation complain and bad-mouth the younger generation. I want to say to you all, “I’m sorry.” It’s not fair to “judge” an entire generation by the ones who don’t do the right things or deserve our respect. I truly believe that there are more good young people around than the bad ones.

Everyone Wants Respect

It really hasn’t been that long since we were in your shoes. Our parents, our friends’ parents, our teachers, and every “senior citizen” we knew didn’t think we’d ever amount to much. And honestly, many of us didn’t. We just didn’t have social media to rub our noses in our mistakes. Or influencers to tell us we aren’t good enough, or pretty enough, or smart enough. We just had others tell it to our faces. And it hurt back then even as it hurts you now.

But, just like you, we still had dreams of being someone that others would look up to and respect. We didn’t always make the best choices to get it either! You see, deep down we still knew that the right choices gave us the right results. You know that, too. No matter what age we are, we only need to listen to that voice within us that tells us what we know is right to do. But often we drown him out with so much “noise” – our friends, social media, video games, even our own stubborn wills.

Seeking Respect Is Nothing New

That respect word, dear one, has been around for a lot longer than either one of us has been alive. It’s not a new concept at all. Even back in the garden of Eden when Adam and Eve decided to eat that forbidden fruit (Some call it an apple. I don’t know, maybe it was a peach or an apricot.), they wanted to be like God, to feel important, to be recognized. But that sneaky snake guy told them God had lied to them. And that didn’t turn out well for them and us.

Even today, we want what we shouldn’t have. We choose that one thing that’s not good for us when we have so many better choices and smarter options right there in front of us. Sometimes they don’t look as much fun or as easy as what others want us to do. That hasn’t changed much over the years either.

Making a Difference Has No Age Limit!

Amidst all of the stories of young people gone bad, there are many of your generation choosing to make a difference, taking a stand, and trying to be respectful and just plain good.

I saw this video the other day, and it brought tears to my eyes. It was a simple act of compassion and empathy by three young men that changed the life of a woman with cancer. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6d8Y9wbdUwI

You, too, are one of them making a difference. Just today I saw you at the grocery store. Your tired mom was trying to check out, and you helped take care of your younger siblings so she could finish. You saw that short old grandma trying to load a case of water bottles into her cart and helped her, even following her to her car and loading them into her trunk (yep, that was me!). There was a special needs little boy crying in his mom’s shopping cart, and you played peek-a-boo with him until he giggled. You made eye contact and smiled at that grumpy-looking old man shuffling down the aisles and helped him find that one elusive item he was searching for.

Here’s the thing — You had your eyes open. You may have been listening to the latest rap song on your AirPods, but you were still watching and helping. You didn’t have to, but something inside of you said to just do it, and you did. It felt good, too. Didn’t  it? Putting a smile on someone else’s face can do that for you. Your kindness honored them and showed them respect.

Respect — Lessons to Learn

Maybe you can teach the rest of us to do the same. This world would be a better place if we all just saw each other and opened our hearts. You taught me that. I respect you for your servant heart. Because that is what you are — a servant made in the image of our Heavenly Father who smiles when He sees your kindness for others. “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12 ESV)

So, stop listening to the people who tell you that you won’t ever amount to anything. You already have.

Prayer:

Dear Father, Thank you for all the helpers you put in our lives. Sometimes they are people we know, but often they are strangers with big hearts.  Help us to treat everyone we meet with compassion and respect. We want to be servants just as your son, Jesus, was to the world. In His loving name we pray, AMEN.