Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”—Ephesians 6:1-3

For some reason, words like "respect" and "honor" are dropped from modern exchange. We live in a time where people would prefer to question, dismiss, or attack authority rather than assuming a person is due respect and honor. I often talk to elders who feel that younger generations have lost a connection with those who are older and the value that their experience, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding offers. Some elders even feel dismissed, forgotten, or left out and left behind deliberately. Yet in times past elders were given respect and honor only for their age—no other reason. So be counter-cultural today, give respect to those it's due. Honor a military service person or veteran who has served. Respect an elder. Accept direction from a parent without putting them to the test. Then see if they are not surprised by your gesture of good faith. For respect and honor have the power to speak blessing, and often, these blessings reciprocate—“that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

DO THIS: Extend Respect.

PRAYER: God, today I commit to respecting and honoring my elders, parents, leaders, and those who served.