Contemplative Bible Reading

Leviticus 19:3 (New Living Translation)

Each of you must show great respect for your mother and father, and you must always observe my Sabbath days of rest. I am the Lord your God.

After chapters of specific commands to the people, the LORD now gives some “fuzzy” instructions. Here is one of the first.

Respect your mother and father

This doesn’t say what specific day of what specific month to do so. This doesn’t say where you are to do so. This doesn’t say much of anything in the way of specific instruction.

• How do you measure respect?
• How do you recognize respect?
• What have you seen or heard that indicates respect?

Respect comes from the heart, and no one I’ve ever met can see inside the heart of another person. That is left up to God or at least it should be left up to God. Sometimes I decide to step in and measure the hearts of others. Foolish me. God, forgive my foolishness. Mend my heart so that I may respect others and what happens in their hearts.