Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27
Every year, on November 11th, my boys march in a Veterans’ Day Parade. The scout group that they’re active in always participates in the local celebration. Unfortunately, it was amazing to realize how many children didn’t really know why they were there (besides to be in a parade) or the significance of that day.
My hubby studied with his group so they recognized the importance of showing honor to the veterans. Then, the group passed out several cards to the veterans they met that day. It was great for the children to honor someone by telling them thanks, shaking their hand, and handing them a card.
The character trait for today is Honor-respecting others because of their worth as human beings (definition from characterfirst.com).
The boys started to realize how people you pass on the street, in the store, or even those who live next door have a story. They might not be veterans, but each person has their very own story to tell. Each and every one of us was created in God’s image. If we want to honor God, what better way than to honor each other? How do we honor others? Showing respect is a great first step.
Here are some ideas from goodcharacter.com for children that would do us well to remember:
- Don’t insult people or make fun of them.
- Listen to others when they speak.
- Value other people’s opinions.
- Be considerate of people’s likes and dislikes.
- Don’t mock or tease people.
- Don’t talk about people behind their backs.
- Be sensitive to other people’s feelings.
- Don’t pressure someone to do something he or she doesn’t want to do.
Here’s some more of what goodcharacter.com had to say: We live in a diverse nation made up of many different cultures, languages, races, and backgrounds. That kind of variety can make all our lives a lot more fun and interesting, but only if we get along with each other. And to do that we have to respect each other. In addition to the list above, here are some ways we can respect people who are different from us.
- Try to learn something from the other person.
- Never stereotype people.
- Show interest and appreciation for other people’s cultures and backgrounds.
- Don’t go along with prejudices and racist attitudes.
Brilliant! So, the next time you’re around someone, really look at them. Not just the outside, but the inside. No matter if they seem wonderful or rather rude, recognize they were made in God’s image. They have a story. Be kind. Do it for God. Seriously, just do it, and teach it to the next generation too! It will be a big step forward in our society.
