The company Dad worked for held an open house at their new factory. Dad showed us around and proudly pointed out his desk. Machinists didn’t usually have a desk, just a work station, but he was now the assistant foreman, and the assistant foreman had a desk.

Just a few years later Dad brought his desk home. The new owners of the company didn’t want an assistant foreman so Dad was back to being just one more machinist without a desk. Dad’s dignity was crushed. He quit soon after to take a civil service job. It was an OK job. It had security, but it never gave him back his dignity.

I hesitate to write about this because Christians are taught to be humble and that seems to conflict with a desire for dignity. Dignity means “the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect.” My whole life I have been distressed at the lack of respect most people receive. I’ve heard employees told that a monkey could do their job. I’ve seen waitresses treated shamefully. I’ve experienced disrespect directed to people in all sorts of situations–families, schools, and even churches. It’s all a lack of dignity that I think conflicts with Christian values.

I am reminded of a line in the song “We Are One in the Spirit.”

And we’ll guard each man’s dignity,
And save each man’s pride.

I think protecting people’s dignity is a worthwhile goal. I wish every Christian would make an increased effort to do so. It would make life better for everyone.

Read   1 Thessalonians 5:11-13 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne