• Home
  • Blog
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Katie M. Reid

Finding Grace in the Unraveling of Life

  • Home
    • About
  • Books
    • Made Like Martha
    • A Very Bavarian Christmas
  • Blog
    • Disclosure
  • Podcast
  • Speaking
  • Coaching
    • Resources
  • Singing
  • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

in Encouragement· Grounded Series

Grounded: Getting Along for a Lifetime (Respect, Honor, and Karl’s Question at the Presidential Debate)

Keep your tween grounded in faith and fun through this series on katiemreid.com

Welcome to Day #11 of the Grounded Series!

Getting Along for a Lifetime

Yesterday, tween daughter, Brooke, brought up the topic of sibling squabbles and examined key parts of Romans 12:9-10 as it relates to the topic:

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

As most of America tuned into the Presidential Debate (in St. Louis), we did not witness the nominees demonstrating love or honor. Mr. Trump and Ms. Clinton did not “model appropriate and good behavior for today’s youth”, or for our country, in the way they talked and acted.

They interrupted, they belittled, and they maliciously accused each other.

In a day and age where Facebook feeds are filled with slander and hate and loved ones turn against each other due to political differences, religious convictions, and sports team loyalties, it’s time to choose a more excellent way.

Dear tween, I know it’s hard to get along with your siblings. I understand that they drive you crazy with their teasing, antics, and rude comments, but they are a precious gift given to you by God.

Many years ago, when one of our friends was babysitting, Brooke and her brother had an argument about which game they should play. They couldn’t come to an agreement and were getting madder by the minute.

Our friend came up with a great strategy to turn the tide on their tension. He had Brooke and her brother face each other. He then asked, “Brooke, who is this?” And he prompted her to respond, “This is my brother. A gift God gave me.” He then invited her brother to do that same, “This is Brooke. A gift God gave me.”

Although the tension didn’t evaporate completely it was diffused by the love and honor that was demonstrated through word and action.

Take the challenge and answer Karl Becket's Presidential Debate Question

It was difficult to watch the Presidential Debate without getting fired up with anger, frustration, and disbelief. The candidates needed to implement a version of the babysitter’s game.

Mr. Trump, who is this beside you? It’s Hillary. A woman, made in the image of God.

Ms. Clinton? Who is this beside you? It’s Donald. A man, created by God.

And then as the tension was so thick it was suffocating, came a glimmer of hope. At the end of the debate, audience member, Karl Becker, asked the candidates this question:

Would either of you name one positive thing that you respect in one other?” -Karl Becker

And the nominees answered and we applauded. The tide turned, if but for a few minutes, as love and honor surfaced.

Dear tween, dear parent, dear America, dear world, if you want to get along for a lifetime, consider living out the truth found in the unchanging, timeless truth of Scripture.

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” -Romans 12:9-10

Whether you are in a squabble with a sibling or a disagreement with a coworker or fellow nominee, remember these key principles:

  1. Let love be genuine.
  2. Abhor what is evil.
  3. Host fast to what is good.
  4. Love one another with brotherly affection.
  5. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Let’s start a trend and answer #karlsquestion by saying something positive and encouraging to someone with whom we disagree.

Let’s turn the tables on the hostile behavior and corrupt character that we see, and set an example in “in love, in speech, and in purity” (see 1 Timothy 4:12).

Each person, from the unborn to the aged, is made in the image of God, created by Him, for His purposes.

Let’s apologize for our lack of love and honor and let’s show kindness to even those who disagree with us. We don’t have to adopt their stance or excuse their behavior but we can be an example to them in the way that we respond.

I’m sorry that you haven’t witnessed adults acting very mature lately, but I have great hope that you can turn the tide on this behavior and together we can be stronger and be truly great, because we are believing and applying the truth from the greatest leader of all, King Jesus.

katie_sig

You might also like:

Freedom (post by Karen Brown of Stooping for Manna)

Dear Children: Here’s What You Need to Never Forget about the Orlando Massacre

Grounded: More Freedom = More Responsibility

Join a community of encouragers and kindness speakers over here on Facebook and link-up an uplifting post over here on Kelly Balarie’s #RaRaLinkup.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Email
  • Print

Filed Under: Encouragement, Grounded Series Tagged With: debate, family, lessons, parenting, scripture

Previous Post: « Grounded: Mom, My Siblings Drive Me Crazy!
Next Post: Grounded: What is Faith and Why Do I Need It? (Guest Post by Wynter Pitts) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. ~ linda says

    October 11, 2016 at 9:20 pm

    AMEN! I may not be a tween or even have one, but your words, Katie, are meant for us all. As Karl Becker asked that question Sunday night, I thought of my days of teaching second grade when many of the children tattled on one another far too often. I would make the two of them stand before one another and say something nice about the other. If they said, “She’s got nice shoes” and used no inflection, I told them I expected to hear them say something that they meant and to the other person’s face, looking in their eyes. Eventually, my kids knew I would repeat this until they understood that tattling was not tolerated in my classroom. That is what Mr. Becker’s question reminded me of and I thought…yes, we are dealing with children here. Ahhhhh!
    Thank you for raising your tween with under God’s umbrella. Praising Him for you, Katie.

    • Katie says

      October 11, 2016 at 9:39 pm

      Hi Linda! Thank you for you kind words and for sharing that memory from your teaching days. Your students were fortunate to have a teacher like that!

Primary Sidebar

katie reid headshot

MEET KATIE

Hi, I'm Katie (a Modern Martha, wife, and mom to five). I'm so glad you're here! Let's enjoy some cut-to-the-chase conversation over hot or iced tea, as we find grace in the unraveling of life (together). Let's exchange try-hard striving for hope-filled freedom as we settle into our position as a doer and a daughter—created by a Loving Father.

Read More

Subscribe for regular updates & receive a free video series.

Made Like Martha

Made Like Martha
Buy Now

Echoes of My Heart

Echoes of My Heart CD
Buy Now

Favorites for You

25 affiliate resources for communicator creatives and busy women

This site uses affiliate links.
Click here to read the full disclosure.

Footer

Search This Site

Recent Posts

  • Hope in the Middle of Our Struggles with Pastor Adam Reid Part 2
  • Hope in the Middle of Our Struggles with Pastor Adam Reid
  • Time-Saving Tips for Busy Women with Crystal Paine
  • Single and Not Sorry with Ellen Wildman

Stay Connected

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023 Katie M. Reid · Design by The Design Diva · Development by MRM

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT