(This post was written by Gina McClain, Director of Children’s Ministries)

This month begins a five-week journey on the topic of Respect for our Kindergarten thru 3^rd graders.  Each month we focus on a different virtue (i.e. Honesty, Honor, Peace, etc), and we focus on areas of Scripture that demonstrate that virtue.

It’s funny because the minute I think of the word Respect that song pops up in my head…

“R-E-S-P-E-C-T… Find out what it means to me…”

Is it stuck in your head now?  Good.  You’re welcome.  🙂

Respect is a tricky thing.  We all want respect.  But, if we’re honest, there are plenty of times when we don’t grant it to others.

How do we respond to the coach that treats our child less than favorably on the football field?

How do we talk about our boss at home?

How do we respond to our child’s teacher that says there’s a discipline problem?

These are not unfamiliar scenarios.  Difficult people are a reality.  And they are teachable moments for our kids.  As a parent, it’s up to us what we teach them.  We could teach them they don’t have to respect authority by treating that coach, boss or teacher as if they are less than important.  What they say doesn’t matter.  Or we can teach our kids to respect the authority God has placed in their life.  Respecting authority doesn’t mean we have to agree with their decisions.  It just means we show them honor for the position they hold in our lives.  We figure out how to work with them, and we demonstrate for our kids how to manage conflict successfully.

You see, one day my 8 year old is going to be 28 years old.  My goal is that she knows how to navigate the waters with difficult people.  Respect plays a big role in that.  So…

Let’s hear you sing it out!  “R-E-S-P-E-C-T… Find out what it means to me…”

How will you demonstrate this virtue to your kids?