A Godly maiden's traits: respect

Now that we have introduced our blog, we can get to business, so to speak, and start with our actual theme! We will discuss various traits that are important for a maiden, and different ways in which a Godly maiden can build and enhance her character, while living under the guidance of God and her parents.

The first trait, which we will discuss in detail in the next posts, is respect. This post is an introduction to the series.

If you think about it, respect is almost gone from our daily lives. Just look at today's raunchy culture that is promoted in the media, secular colleges, basically everywhere. Young people don't give up their seats in the bus for older people; women curse; and I won't start talking right now about the way women dress today, because there will be no end to it!

But if you ask me, 'does it have to be this way?', my answer will be 'no'! It's entirely in our power, as the new generation of maidens - daughters, sisters, friends - to change this. And this is precisely what we are going to discuss here.

Some time ago, I read an excellent article on The Walled Garden blog. It was called 'What does it mean to be a lady?'
Unfortunately, it seems I can't find the link, but here are some quotes:

-When a Lady joyfully welcomes a visitor into her home even when she's exhausted or busy she is saying to that person, "You are important to me. I respect you and therefore I welcome you wholeheartedly."

-When a Lady refrains from screeching at her family, making nit-picky remarks, getting in her jabs (even those said with a smile), nagging, pointing out her family's faults etc she is saying to her family, "I respect you enough to treat you with respect and honor."

-When a Lady, even one living in a slum, does her best to keep her doorway looking cheerful she says to everyone, "I would like to cause you to smile when you go by my house because I respect you as a fellow member of the human race. It doesn't matter to me who you are."

-When a Lady waits on her husband she is not being a subservient doormat: she is showing him respect without asking for a reward. She is saying, "I love you and I respect you for free."

So what am I trying to say? I think a true lady, a virtuous maiden, should work on respecting:
- God
- Her family
- Herself
- Other people who surround her: family, friends, even strangers
- Her future husband, whether she knows him already or not

More coming in future posts. Stay tuned!