R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Respect seems to be losing steam in today's culture. Respect for authority, be it parents, teachers or law enforcement. Respect for restaurant patrons who don't need to hear your cell phone conversation. Respect for others, without labeling.

Today, Aretha Franklin, who was born in Memphis, TN,  died in Detroit, MI.  The daughter of a Baptist preacher, she grew up singing "gospel." In the 60s, "The Queen of Soul" sang of respect. Her grammy award winning rendition, R-E-S-P-E-C-T, was originally written and recorded by STAX artist, Otis Redding, a Soulsville star! The song was playing Tuesday night as I entered the STAX museum for a meeting---so it's fresh on my mind.

The song's lyrics, "wanting just a little bit of respect when you get home, "focused on the need of "respect" for those in a marriage relationship. All relationships benefit from respect as one chooses to honor others as created by God, regardless of gender, race, faith or age. In an interview Franklin once said, "even a 3 yr. old wants respect!"

Philippians 2:3, which encourages others to put self aside, sums it up well---".....with humility of mind regard one another more important than yourself."

R-E-S-P-E-C-T, a good and valuable quality, does not need to be lost from our society. If the spelling out of respect, helps to keep this character trait at the forefront of our mind, let's all start singing together.