Families- Show Proper Respect to Everyone

1 Peter 2:16-17a “Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil, live as a servant of God.  Show proper respect to everyone:”

            Lord, why does submitting to, and showing respect for, one another in a family so hard sometimes?  The very place where more respect, patience, loving discipline and unconditional love should be shown is the very place where it seems to be looked upon as unnecessary.  It is very sad, Lord!  I guess that when we are outside the family we care what others think of us and we want to impress others with our piety for Your sake so we act different and better.  Then when we walk back into the doors of our homes the “real” us emerges in all of its ugly sinfulness.  Venom spews from our mouths, looks that could kill are prevalent, and impatience is the order of the day.  Your children are hurt, and the family is divided, and Satan is gleeful because he knows if the one unit in God’s Kingdom that should be the strongest knit can be divided, He has won the victory.

            Lord, forgive and strengthen our families.  Help us, Lord, not to “eat” each other, but to love, honor, and respect each other.  Keep our pride at bay and help us to encourage each other in love making our words and thoughts tender and edifying.