Learn To Respect Authority

'Work...as though you were working for the Lord...' Colossians 3:23 NLT

Can you imagine a nation without a leader, a workplace without a boss or an army without a general? It would be chaotic. Structure creates order; without it no progress can be made. That's why you don't park your car in the bedroom or sleep in the garage.

Learn to respect those in authority over you. Honour those who have lived longer than you because they possess a wealth of knowledge. Listen to them and grow. Until you learn to take orders you will never be qualified to give them. Jesus understood this. He was the Son of God. He knew more than any other human being, yet He honoured the authority of the government in power. When the Pharisees asked Him His opinion on paying taxes He answered, '...Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's...' (Mark 12:17 NKJV).

Are you speaking words of doubt about your own organisation? Are you belittling those in authority over you? Stop it now! True, they are not perfect. (Perhaps that's why they can tolerate you.) If you rebel against every instruction you are given, don't complain when those around you rebel against your words and opinions. The law of reciprocity states that if you want to be treated with respect, you must respect others. That includes those you don't agree with, or even like. Jesus did. Pray, 'Father, I know that respect for authority is taught in Your Word. So remind me today that my success depends upon my attitude toward those You've placed in leadership over me. As I honour them, I believe You will honour me.'

Oh dear. I have had an interesting evening.

T's kid's school had a big family event tonight. A "Hoola" night. I did not see much hoola dancing but there were a few leis floating around, and a bit of shuffling going on. T and i arrived a few minutes late - but just in time to see his girls performing. They were so cute.

What was not so cute about our evening though was the pop up woman. If you have forgotten about the pop up woman - like i had - she is a woman from T's past who likes to turn up on his doorstep when her husband is not looking.

Before we had even planted ourselves down on our picnic blanket T pointed her out to me. We made ourselves comfortable and then proceeded to watch her plant herself down right in front of us - with her ginormous basket of booze.

It was fairly obvious when she stood up and walked past us - while giving me a foul look and yelling out to T - that she was by far the drunkest person in the area. Other people were drinking wine and beer but no one - except this woman -  was so wasted that it made you wonder how many hours / days ago she had started drinking.

At one point T got up to find us something to eat at one of the stalls. The fact that she did not stop trying to catch his eye all night meant that she knew exactly what direction to head - in order to bail him up again. It was a mixture of amusing and annoying to spend the last three hours watching a drunk slapper follow him around a field - and him trying to dodge her while playing with his girls.

It was around the time that she drunkenly yelled out to him and beckoned him over to her for the 5th time - that her behaviour became more annoying to me - than amusing. He just looked at her - and said NO.

Three hours of this though - was more than enough for me. I got up from my spot on my blanket and headed over to her. I introduced myself to her - and asked her exactly what it was about him telling her that he did not want contact with P addicts from his past that she did not understand?

She didn't hear me properly. I got a "Huh?" response from her as she reached out her hand for me to help her to her feet. I can't believe that i had to help that drunk up to her feet so that i could repeat my question to her - but i did. The second time i asked her that question - she just looked at me with a blank stare - took another gulp out of her beer bottle - and told me that she did not know what i was talking about.

I just stared at her while it sunk in that nothing was going to get through that glazed over and blank stare. I said "rigggght" - and walked away.

We packed up our stuff and went home. It was dark by this time, getting cold - and i didn't have a jacket so that was sweet.

It wasn't until we were on our way home that T decided to tell me that she is a violent drunk with suicidal tendencies - and that he has seen her beat women up in bar brawls and punch out plate glass shop windows.

THAT little bit of information might have been handy prior to me confronting her with my big mouth. T found  the sight of me confronting a woman three times my size - with a propensity for violence rather amusing. In fact - he is still laughing - and calling me "Mighty Mouse".

Drunks are gross at the best of times - but pop up woman tonight - was just awful. No husband in sight and i don't blame him. I wouldn't go out in public with that either.

All of this. At a KID'S school concert.

Crazy, mental, stuff.

I am so glad that i no longer drink.

T has promised to warn me prior to me confronting another of his pop up women - if i am likely to end up swallowing my teeth - next time!