Something changed in the last several years. I don’t know if it was related to the Covid epidemic or something else, perhaps a combination of things. But it seems to me that it suddenly became OK to treat people who weren’t a part of your “group” as if they didn’t matter. Respect and consideration of other people’s needs and feelings stopped being necessary. It’s subtle sometimes and glaring at other times, but I sense a definite shift.

A trip to the grocery store, which I’ve never enjoyed, has become demoralizing. While I try to smile and be patient and gracious in the narrow aisles, other people will push past me, bump into me, and cut in front of me without an apology or even an acknowledgment that I exist. Self-interest and protection of “me and mine” is valued more than the Golden Rule.

“Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters with all purity.” (1 Timothy‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭CSB‬‬)

This verse makes me realize this kind of incivility is nothing new. People have always needed the reminder that other people — regardless of age or gender — deserve respect and consideration. This verse was specifically meant for those leading the newly planted Christian churches. If we don’t find respect for each other in the world, we should at least find it within the church.

As I interact with others throughout my day, I can’t control how others behave, but I can control my behavior. And I need to fight against the urge to give in to self-preservation.

Dear God,

Please give me the strength to love in the face of contempt. Remind me that every person is your creation and worth of my utmost respect. Forgive me for discounting anyone.