After I started blogging I “met” a lady who had an unusual way of signing off.  She would say, “Dangerous prayers have been said for you today.”  Her husband was ordained and they moved to another town in Texas where he could begin a preaching ministry so her blogging and commenting has slowed down.  (She keeps trying to get me on FaceBook though).  Occasionally she records a blog and she recently wrote one you can read here. One thing I have noticed about Camey’s blogs is that they are always encouraging and thought-provoking.  After reading the most current one, I also read a quote that really stuck with me.  It is the inspiration for this post. Here is the quote:

“I’m not concerned  with your liking or disliking me.  All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.”  Jackie Robinson

I realize that Mr. Robinson’s quote was primarily focused on the issue that he had to deal with: racism.   When Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball, even his own teammates had trouble with him.  I can remember there was a time in his career when he was being booed and a teammate (I think it was Phil Rizzuto) came up and put his arm around him.  Jackie said that was the turning point for him.  I was talking to someone just the other day about where I grew up (in the projects in West Mifflin, PA).  I knew very little back then about the white/black issue although as I look back I see the housing issue as clear as day.

But this post is not about that, it is about respect.  We all want or need to be respected.  No one wants to be “dissed” or put off as unimportant.  We want to matter.  We want our opinions to matter.  We want our thoughts to matter.  We want what we do to matter.  We want respect from others.  We all need encouragement (i.e. Camey’s post).  I know, as a pastor, that respect and encouragement go a long way in my  book.

What are your thoughts?  How important is respect to you?  Does it affect your modus operandi when you do/don’t get it?  I hope you will share some thoughts with me/us.