Respect–One of the Most Important Lessons
Several years ago I enjoyed a four-generation outing with my mother and our younger daughter, her preschool daughter, and her baby boy. We went to a baby shower for a young mother at our church. The young mother is the granddaughter of Miss Katherine.
When I walked through the refreshment line at the shower, I was carrying our grandson. Miss Katherine, who was 92 years old at the time, started helping me. I already had a few goodies on my plate when I came to more plates with slices of cake. Miss Katherine urged me to take a plate of cake, too.
Putting out the refreshments, cakes, cookies,
and lemonade at the square dance.
Pie Town, New Mexico, June 1940
Courtesy Library of Congress
When I sat down, our then-five-year-old granddaughter asked me why I had two plates. “Because Miss Katherine told me to,” I answered. “She’s 92 years old, and I obey her.”
One of the most important lessons you will ever teach your children is respect — respect for the aged, respect for authority, respect for God—and respect for you.
You shall rise up before the grayheaded
and honor the aged,
and you shall revere your God;
I am the Lord.
Leviticus 19:32
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake
to every human institution,
whether to a king as the one in authority,
or to governors as sent by him
for the punishment of evildoers
and the praise of those who do right.
For such is the will of God
that by doing right you may silence
the ignorance of foolish men.
1 Peter 2:13-15
Honor your father and your mother,
that your days may be prolonged in the land
which the Lord your God gives you.
Exodus 20:12