Currents February 2022

I remember when I first started working with a group of 3-year-olds in a church class, I was completely at a loss as to how to deal with some of the children. They weren’t like my own 3-year-old! Some were rambunctious. Some seemed to have an aversion to actually sitting on their chairs. Some felt the need to shout out irrelevant things at any moment. But one day I had a tremendous “aha” moment: it occurred to me that each of these children was loved and cherished by his or her mother. And when I started seeing and enjoying them as the loveable individuals they were, I no longer even needed to try to bring them in line, and we began to enjoy each other. 

In sharing this month’s tenet, “We are each unique and innately worthy of respect,” our authors share different ways of looking at the topic. Michelle focuses on the need for respect. Emily reminds us of the need to love ourselves so we can better love others. Norma talks about respecting how unique we all are. Shelli recounts the bonding experience she had when a group of writers was thrown together in close quarters due to a rainstorm. Lisa introduces us to Emily, and I share some memories of my brother. And Lyn brings up the point of how amazing women are, even when they don’t see it in themselves. What can you do to find something to love about a person or to show respect for someone today?