R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Posted by: Bradley McDonald
A while back, I went to watch a friend's son play in a Little League baseball game. As soon as I got to the ballpark, I recognized a distinctive smell that seems to accompany Little League baseball fields. That smell brought back many childhood memories of baseball.
I have always been somewhat athletic and baseball seemed to come naturally for me. (Of course, playing everyday in the backyard with the neighborhood kids probably aided in honing my skills.) In my shy and awkward pre-teen years, the baseball field was one place I felt confident. I felt confident because people respected how I played the game. That respect led me to feel “cool” and the ballpark became a safe refuge.
We, as Christians, have an obligation to show respect to everyone no matter how they look or what they can do. The church should be a refuge for outsiders who don’t feel confident anywhere else. In today’s me-first society, there is a general lack of respect for other people and their property. One of the best ways to reach out to people is just by showing them that we value them as a person.
A while back, I went to watch a friend's son play in a Little League baseball game. As soon as I got to the ballpark, I recognized a distinctive smell that seems to accompany Little League baseball fields. That smell brought back many childhood memories of baseball.
I have always been somewhat athletic and baseball seemed to come naturally for me. (Of course, playing everyday in the backyard with the neighborhood kids probably aided in honing my skills.) In my shy and awkward pre-teen years, the baseball field was one place I felt confident. I felt confident because people respected how I played the game. That respect led me to feel “cool” and the ballpark became a safe refuge.
We, as Christians, have an obligation to show respect to everyone no matter how they look or what they can do. The church should be a refuge for outsiders who don’t feel confident anywhere else. In today’s me-first society, there is a general lack of respect for other people and their property. One of the best ways to reach out to people is just by showing them that we value them as a person.
That is just what Jesus did - value people no matter their background. Sometimes we in our self-righteousness overlook those who are not as blessed as we with material goods or education. Thanks for reminding us that this is not the way Jesus intends His people to be!
And I am glad you found respect!
Posted by
Anonymous |
Wed Apr 20, 11:03:00 PM 2005