For more than two years now I have been on a quest to define Love. What is Love? What does that mean? If we "Love" someone does that mean we have license to treat that person less than others that we may not know? What is Love? As family, the saying "I Love You" is thrown around like a salutation. What does it mean? Is there meaning behind those words, or is it just "good bye?" In my home, I hope Love means that we sincerely care about the whole well being of that person! We care about the physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual well being of each other! That is deep! You can't care about the spiritual state of someone unless you also care about their physical state! We believe that to love means, we care enough that we will do what we can to help with any of those areas that one we loves needs help with!
I love this statement that says in other ways what we believe Family Love is:
"We are Best Friends. In our home you are Loved, wanted, appreciated, and cherished - no matter what. You are safe to be vulnerable. To be silly. To vent your frustrations. To share your emotions, struggles and embarrassments. We encourage you to dream big, and we do everything possible to make your dreams come true. We are Family! We give you confidence to venture into the world and get knocked down. Come back to us, we will comfort, heal, and strength you! We will whisk you back out the door with a smile on your face, the dream glistening in your eyes, courage beating in your heart. We believe in you! We're on your team. In your corner. Your biggest fans. Cheering our hearts out for you to reach, strive, leave it all on the field, become who you were born to become. We are family: united, unbreakable, eternal." -LifeManifestos.com
In my extended family, for some time we have had some bumps in the road! There are different ideas of what Love is and of what it is to show Respect. So today, I am turning, wondering about the definition of "Respect." What does this word mean? A quick google reveals:
A search on LDS.org brings up this link with this quote one of the first to be quoted:
Could anyone be more deserving of respect than a literal child of God? Each of us—husband and wife, parent and child—has that marvelous heritage and potential. Sometimes we lose sight of each other’s true worth. But as we give respect, our love deepens, potential blossoms, and eternal relationships grow stronger.
Followed immediately by:
I hope that the noise of our homes will drop a few decibels, that we will subdue our voices and speak to one another with greater appreciation and respect.”
“Till We Meet Again”Gordon B. Hinckley
What Matters Most Is What Lasts LongestM. Russell Ballard
I love this statement that says in other ways what we believe Family Love is:
"We are Best Friends. In our home you are Loved, wanted, appreciated, and cherished - no matter what. You are safe to be vulnerable. To be silly. To vent your frustrations. To share your emotions, struggles and embarrassments. We encourage you to dream big, and we do everything possible to make your dreams come true. We are Family! We give you confidence to venture into the world and get knocked down. Come back to us, we will comfort, heal, and strength you! We will whisk you back out the door with a smile on your face, the dream glistening in your eyes, courage beating in your heart. We believe in you! We're on your team. In your corner. Your biggest fans. Cheering our hearts out for you to reach, strive, leave it all on the field, become who you were born to become. We are family: united, unbreakable, eternal." -LifeManifestos.com
In my extended family, for some time we have had some bumps in the road! There are different ideas of what Love is and of what it is to show Respect. So today, I am turning, wondering about the definition of "Respect." What does this word mean? A quick google reveals:
Could anyone be more deserving of respect than a literal child of God? Each of us—husband and wife, parent and child—has that marvelous heritage and potential. Sometimes we lose sight of each other’s true worth. But as we give respect, our love deepens, potential blossoms, and eternal relationships grow stronger.
Followed immediately by:
I hope that the noise of our homes will drop a few decibels, that we will subdue our voices and speak to one another with greater appreciation and respect.”
“Till We Meet Again”Gordon B. HinckleyOur family-centered perspective should make Latter-day Saints strive to be the best parents in the world. It should give us enormous respect for our children, who truly are our spiritual siblings, and it should cause us to devote whatever time is necessary to strengthen our families. Indeed, nothing is more critically connected to happiness—both our own and that of our children—than how well we love and support one another within the family.”
What Matters Most Is What Lasts LongestM. Russell BallardIt is interesting to me that the first references to Respect in the bible are to the offerings of Cain and Abel. One was respected by the Lord, and the other was not. What was the difference of the two offerings? They were both offerings. One was an obedient offering, given by Abel not that he understood why, but because the Lord commanded him. The other was a substitute of what was asked, Cain's offering was less intrusive into his flocks and the future of them. It was his logical solution to a better way. I hope that I can give the offering of obedience.
From "Respect and Reverence" by Margaret S. Lifferth First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency:
May I suggest that our ability and our credibility to exemplify reverence for God is strengthened as we show respect for each other. In today’s society, the standards of decorum, dignity, and courtesy are assailed on every side and in every form of media. As parents and leaders, our examples of respect for each other are critical for our youth and children because they are watching not only the media—they are watching us! Are we the examples we need to be?
Ask yourself these questions: Am I an example of respect in my home by the way I treat those I love the most? What is my demeanor during a sports event? If my child has a disagreement with a teacher, coach, or peer, do I listen to both sides of the issue? Do I show respect for the property of others as well as take care of my own? How do I respond to others with whom I disagree in matters of religion, lifestyle, or politics?
As parents and leaders exemplify and teach respect for others, we confirm in the hearts of our children that each of us is truly a child of God and all are brothers and sisters through eternity. We will focus on the things we have in common—on the qualities of heart that bind the family of God together, rather than on our differences.
Respect for others and reverence for God are close cousins. They are rooted in humility and love. President David O. McKay said that “reverence is profound respect mingled with love,” 4 and Elder L. Tom Perry taught that “reverence flows from our admiration and respect for Deity.” 5
I note this article about Respect in relationships. Interesting list of specific things we can do to show respect for ourselves and for others!
I am grateful to get to study and learn. Respect. Topic of my ponderings today. I hope that I can give respect to all around me and that they will choose to respect the sacred things of eternity as well! That together we can celebrate in the goodness of God and His kindness and love!