respect: to give honor to; to show high regard for
"Show proper respect to everyone."- 1 Peter 2:17
Since being back in the States I have gotten the question a lot:
"what did you learn in Africa?"
Most the time that question overwhelms me, because I have no idea where to begin. But today I realized something that has become a huge part of my life that I know was instilled in me during my two years living in Africa. -RESPECT.
The African people respect like no one's business. I could say they put us to shame. When I first got there I realized how much I disrespected people without even being aware of it. I began to learn what respect looked like. I did make a lot of mistakes, but slowly learned.
I learned that you never call a Mother by her first name you call her MaMa and then her name.
I learned you called a Father TaTa and then his name.
I learned you never call a young man by his first name- you say Mboti.
At first these things were hard to remember and get use to, but as they became part of my life I realized how much I began to really respect people.
I started looking at Mothers and Fathers differently, they were no longer people that were just older then me, they were people I needed to respect.
The definition of respect is: to give honor to or show high regard for. And in 1 Peter, Peter commands us to respect everyone. Not just the elderly, and our parents. But EVERYONE.
Recently, my heart was completely broken as I saw a grown woman with children completely disrespect her elderly Mother that has raised her and loved her and now her grandchildren as well.
My memory was quickly taken back to a day in October in Jeffreys Bay when I entered the shack of a family my team and I were ministering to. I KNEW that the first thing I was to do was to greet the Gogo( the Grandmother) in the house, then the Mother and finally the children. This to me is so biblical.
"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you."- Exodus 20:12
"Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God." 1 Timothy 5 :3-4
We cant deny it. God's word says it. Do you notice in the commandment to honor your parents it ends with a promise. That is so powerful. God says when we show honor and respect, He will also honor us. The God of the universe promises to honor us!
One of the most important things for me to learn in South Africa was their way of greeting. When you enter a home, wake up in the morning, or see a person for the first time that day you greet them. Rather that be a hand shake, a hug or simply asking how they are. At first most definitely I offended a lot of people, because this had never been my way of life. Again as I slowly remembered this new way and it became a normal part of my life, the Holy Spirit really spoke to me about how powerful this small act is.
The acknowledgement of someone is so powerful. To acknowledge their presence and that you see them, can speak volumes to a wounded and lonely spirit. I can think back to many times in my life when I simply wanted someone to notice me or ask me how I was doing. I think that is why it became one of my favorite things to do. Especially in the mornings I remember in the LXP house- greeting my sisters with a warm hug and asking how they slept.
But isn't this what the Lord does? We are never out of his mind.
In Psalm 139 the whole chapter speaks about how God knows us inside and out and knows our every move, and thought.
I write this as a challenge to you. Start respecting like you never have. And watch how God will work not only in your life, but in the lives of the people in your life. They may think its strange at first, but that's okay. Just press on.
Remember the LORD's command: "Show proper respect to EVERYONE."
Now go watch how Jesus will work.
