Decency

1. Behavior that conforms to accepted standards of morality or respectability.

-Modesty and propriety.

-The requirements of accepted or respectable behavior.

Only one word was given for today’s message…decency. When I asked for more, I only got one more word…common.

As I thought about it, I realize that I rarely hear this word. In fact I cannot remember the last time I heard or used it. When I was a kid, I used to hear it a lot. The word was used and like action expected.

When I went to find a “photo of decency,” there was nothing appropriate. It wasn’t until I looked for photos of animals that I found the above picture of a young boy helping stray dogs. There is no personal gain for him, just common decency.

Now I get it. It is the whole point of today’s message. Common decency is uncommon. Rarely do we even think about it or use the word. Of course, this is not everyone. Many of us are striving to make the world a better place. But when we are complacent, when we don’t expect common decency, when we don’t demand it, we are ourselves contributing to the lack.

It seems that everything today is about protest, exercising our right to protest. Somehow, decency has become synonymous with “conforming” and so it has fallen by the wayside. Our message today tells us that decency has a place in every aspect of our life and society. We do ourselves a disservice when we forget that. Lack of decency is a detour. It will always make our road longer and harder.

Common decency on the other hand puts us on a much smoother and road.

That is the HOPE. And so it is.

-Meditate/pray…ask…”what is my next step for my highest good and the highest good of all?”

-Drink lots of water.

-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths.

-Let’s reintroduce “decency” into our vocabulary, actions and expectations.

-Breakfast with my brother.

-Alex is back home.

-Laundry done.

-A visit from my nephew and his family. So fun to meet the twins.

Rev. Chris