Discretion: the quality of having or showing discernment or good judgment
Respect: an act of giving particular attention; a high or special regard
As much as I want World Peace, I wonder if there would be more peace if we had more discretion and respect. In this "It's-all-about-me" "have-it-your-way...NOW!!" culture we live in, I think we are quickly loosing peace because we are loosing discretion and respect.
For most of us, these aren't intentional disregards. But I am afraid for some, they just don't care, or know. To some extent, we all miss the mark on occasion. There are days I am completely in a hurry and I am not paying attention to the wake I leave behind me. Sometimes I am just so stressed out, I can't get past my own agenda or attitude.
I grew up under the authority of a "Military Dad" and the "Everyone's Best Friend Mom." My parents were both very respectful of others and this was at the core of our training up. (No, that doesn't mean my sister or I were perfect, but we were taught and held accountable when we didn't display these. Remember the ol' Soap in the Mouth?!? Blech!! ) And now that I am a parent, I am focused on not only my behaviors (ultimately my heart for the Lord's witness) and my example but the training up of my own 4 children to be respectful to others and using discretion in what they share with others and how they share it. Ultimately, having a heart desiring to honor God.
"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3:18
You always hold the door for others, especially young mothers and the elderly. You always say Please and Thank You. You pay special regard to elders. If someone drops something, you pick it up and give it to them. You never take the last thing in the house without making sure someone else would want it or need it. You drop your trash, you pick it up. You spill it, you clean it. You borrow something, you give it back. You break something, you fix it. You use the last of something, you replace it. You don't say bad words or words that sound the same. You don't talk back in sass. You take off your shoes at the door, not wherever. When you are in public, you don't make out, PDA is private. You don't let others see more of your skin than clothes and you definitely don't let people see your bra or underware! Bras were for support, not accessories. Underware was for under-ware, not over-ware. (Wedgies were a cosequence if they were spotted on boys!) And bathing suits were made for covering not revealing. You speak quietly in public so others don't hear your business. No one wants to hear all about the local gossip or about your issues when they are paying for peace and pampering!! Movies are a place to be quiet, as are libraries, spas, nail salons, steam rooms, and certain restaurants. And by the way, you do not answer the phone/text/email (cell or land) or read the paper while sharing a meal with someone unless it's urgent and/or an emergency-not an update. Belching and Tooting were things of great embarrassments if heard or seen, not badges of honor. Guests are always served first and you wait for the "chef" to sit down before saying grace and eating. Taking care of the house was a family job, not Mom's job. Computers were for education and keeping intouch, not for selfish sin. Friends are precious, not disposable. Dating is for purpose and not experimentation. The Bible is for life and not decoration. God is a Holy Name not an angry blurt. The news was balanced, helpful and fair. Having your own car as a teen was a great privilege, not expectation. Car radios were for your own personal enjoyment, not a public service announcement. The Great Outdoors was to be kept, not trashed. We used to cut the plastic soda rings. When someone asks you to hand them something, you handed it, not threw it at them. Kisses were for your significant other, not roll call. Chips should be eaten not carried. Gentlemen were gentle men.
It all begins in the heart. God, gives us Yours so that Your glory may be revealed!! Amen.
"The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." Luke 6:45
"And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul," Deuteronomy 10:12
"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing." 1 Peter 3:8-9
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