Life Lesson - Respect

During a student's second month of college, his professor gave them a pop quiz.

The boy was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until he read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"

He thought, "Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name?" He handed in his paper, leaving the last question blank.

Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

"Absolutely, " said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello.'"

He never forgotten that lesson. He also learned her name was Dorothy.

(And the janitor at my building is Don.)

(Lord, please help me to remember that no one is to be considered beneath me - from the janitor to my coworkers, from my superiors to the homeless or from those who are blessed beyond measure to those who have made poor life choices. They are all made in your image and deserve to be valued.)