I once heard someone in a place of authority say “Respect is a privilege that needs to be earned. I am here to earn the respect of your children but I will also expect them to earn my respect as well.” In the many years that have past since I heard this person state this, I have returned to this thought in a number of occasions.
Although I do truly believe that we do need to earn each others respect isn’t it also something that as a child of God we should be automatically showing toward every living being until we are sure that their behavior is not respect worthy?
In doing this it requires us to take risks. I have found myself in number of situations from acting with a completely open heart toward a person in need. Each time as the situation began to unfold hints of dishonesty began to slowly become apparent. As the situation continues to unfold however there has also been the most beautiful feeling of clarity that begins to reveal itself. Along with the clarity comes strength and wisdom that causes a chain of events that would have been impossible for me to have planned and put into affect. When we act in and share the genuine Unconditional Love of the Lord with another human along with the gift of sharing His Love comes Gods gifts of Wisdom Strength and Protection.
The common factor in each and every one of these encounters where I have found myself threatened, stolen from, lied about and too, is that these individuals for various reasons possibly, are living each day within a fantasy world. They are being untruthful with others as well as themselves. They always will portray themselves to be a victim to gain your sympathy.
These individuals leave their victims totally heartbroken. Watching someone who you have treated with high regard and shown only care and concern for reciprocate with such shallow concern and lack of regard for your well being is devastating. Even after seeing how much they hurt their victim they will still continue disparaging accusations and attempt to cause fear and intimidation to silence them from telling their wicked ways.
Do they not know that no matter how many times they may have gotten away with hiding or running away from their nasty behavior they are carrying it within themselves? No matter how fast they run or how many stories they tell themselves, the truth will always be revealed in the end. It will be impossible for them to ever move beyond the pit that they find themselves in unless they begin living in truth. The lies that they tell and the story that they attempt to tell themselves will eventually dissolve away and they will be left standing before God exposed and the errors and dishonest ways of their past will be clearly evident.
Please pray that those who choose to live in this manner will wake up and see the evil in their ways and start being truthful to themselves as well as others and get help with correcting, improving, and searching for higher enlightenment.
With Respect, Hope, Joy and Love, Carmela
Carmela Snelbaker 