Respect

"Where?"
"Prince (I forget which one)"
"That is where?"
"Northern B.C."
"So...like the North Pole?"
"I guess."

It was the first day of school; meeting people is always so exciting. This exchange happened with a soft-spoken, mature freshmen, Sierra. A perpetual smile seemed to inhabit her face. Never finding a moment to say goodbye to its abode, save the times which sympathy demanded of genuine concern to make good of its spot.

Our paths seldom crossed throughout that year, but what she did was seldom missed by anyones observation. We all were young in those days: mischief, adventure, drama, and laughter dominated our every motive for being. Reckless as I was and foolish as most of her class was, she stood apart. Like one last ray of sun in a fading twilight, or the concluding flicker to a candles last breath, she was there offering hope for a hopeless situation.

Sierra taught me that situations can't overcome you, if you do not believe failure to be an option. She has always stood apart, as one who is quiet, but when biden to speak, will speak. What she says will not be taken lightly, because it is powerful, embedded with meaning, and full of purpose.

I respect her not because she demands respect, but because that is the natural consequence of who she is. A man is respected, when he shows that he respects others and himself. It occurred to me, that when I act stupid, trying to be who I am not, I am disrespectful. Even putting on a masquerade, we all do it in an attempt to hide pain, disrespects who we are because we are lying to the world around us. No, we should not go around telling people that we are feeling terrible, the results to that would be far more detrimental then a facade. However, to tell people that you are having a great day, but in reality your friend has cancer and you feel like murdering someone, is dishonest. There is a balance we each have to understand individually on how to handle these situations.

As the years have passed, I have seen Sierra grow, maturing in Christ and life in general. The influence she has on the school is inspirational, and the legacy she will leave is commendable.

We sat together at lunch one day.

"So do you have internet up there?"
"Yes."
"Seriously."
"What about cars, or do you still use dog sleds?"
"Cars, Moses, and no we do not live in igloos."

The conversation went on; I thought of how much I stereotype cultures. Is that how she does it, could it be that she sees everyone equally?

Thats what Christ does too. All covered, all loved and all equal. That is respect.

We are all equal and equally respected at that.