Respect: Valuing one another highly, treating one another as important, and honoring one another with our words and actions. (Romans 12:10, 1 Peter 2;17)
I would like to stay focused on the “honoring part” of respect with our children, as we did last week for our spouse.
Have you seen the kid at the grocery store yelling at his/her parent or grandparent, demanding some treat? We might think, “What a brat!” In all honesty though, it may not be entirely the kid’s fault! “What?” You say! Yes, that same parent or grandparent may not have taught that child how to honor others with words. It is our job as parents to teach the proper way to honor others with our words, as well as actions.
Honor with our words
The words we speak to one another can either build up or tear down. When we honor one another with our words, (praise, encouragement, appreciation) we show we value and respect our spouse, child, and others.
Do you honor your children with your words? Your children learn by your example, as well as, by being corrected when their words are not honoring. All of us need to practice right ways of honoring with words.
Honor with our actions
Care for one another. We can teach our children to notice the needs of others within the family and outside the home by helping them to “notice.” We teach them by example with how we “notice” our child’s needs.
Jesus – The Light of the World: (Jesus Meets Our Need For Respect)
Exodus 20:12: Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
Why do you think God made this one of “the top 10?” (Ten Commandments) Do you think this command was just for the times in which it was written? When we teach our children to honor us, do you think we are teaching them how to honor God too?
Often our first image of God is formed by our parents. Parents are a child’s first earthly example of their heavenly Father. It’s a big responsibility, I know, but as you live out your family life with your children in a God-honoring way, your child will catch it!
How has learning to honor your own mom and dad taught you to honor your heavenly Father? How does knowing God loves and respects your life make you feel about Him and about honoring others, especially your children?
His Word – A lamp and a Light
Let’s do:Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Dad/Mom, our children need to be taught many things! Take that in for a minute. I am not sure we realize just how much we teach children by our daily interactions with them. Sure, we teach them to walk, feed themselves, talk, etc…but how often do we purposely teach being kind, thoughtful of others, honoring etc…?
If you haven’t noticed our sweet bundles of joy are born with a sinful nature. Just take notice of most two or three year olds. :} When our child’s sinful nature pops up, we need to correct and teach them “in the way they should go”. Their learning to honor God and others starts within the home.
You And I Are “The Light of the World” – Jesus Said So.
Dad/Mom, you are the light of Jesus to your child. There are many ways to shine that Light upon your children.
When our kids are young it may be a bit easier to incorporate teaching honor throughout the day, than, say, with our teens, but that does not mean all is lost. Teens are “in the world” much more than our little ones, so they may be witnessing disrespect on a regular basis. How can we be The Light to our teens?
Pray with them before school and at night. Ask them to share what their day was like, specifically how they saw others being treated or how they were treated at school. This teaches them to take “notice”. When we learn to take notice of others we can then develop a heart that wants to show honor.
Discuss this need for respect and honor with your spouse or other friend, and answer this question: How was respect/honor illustrated in your home when you were a child or teen? Did you see healthy, loving respect and honor happening before your eyes?
Perhaps your children will see a better example of Christ’s love and respect in your home!