A Person of Importance

When I was 9 years old, my father had one of his clients over to our house for dinner. Mom made us crisco down our hair and clip on our ties. My brother had to wear those spats kids wore to church in the 70's. Anyway, aside from the embarrassing attire, apparently I embarrassed my father.

Mr. Bliss had come from out of state and was a fairly important client to my father's business. As he walked in the house, my brother and I were lined up by the front door and my father proudly introduced us. We gave our best handshake, looked Mr. Bliss right in the eye and smiled as previously directed by my mom. Dinner went well. My dad had gone hunting and so my mother fixed venison as I remember and Mr. Bliss joked about having "Bambi."
My mother really liked that guy.

Anyway, after the meal and formalities, my brother and I were relinquished to the backyard. Once my father's guest had gone, we were called back inside.
Dad broke loose in a tirade against me and, though they were never bad, they impressed upon us very well.

"When you shook that man's hand and greeted him, you meant not a single word of what you said!" poured out my father.

"He was your guest. I did as instructed!"

"And meant not a word of it! When you greet someone you pay that person some respect!"

I knew this. And I think I had meant to, really. I did like the man, but perhaps my mind was on something else at the time. Even if it wasn't, it appeared that way to my father, and more than likely, to Mr. Bliss as well.

"When you greet someone, my guest, your guest or the homeless man on the corner, you give that person your FULL, undivided attention and respect, regardless of who it is!"

A great lesson lay before me here in regards to the importance of people.
Each and every one of us is made in the image of the Lord, God Almighty. To disrespect, neglect or simply gloss someone over is a terrible insult! Not just to that person's pride, but to the Lord who created them. Not just to give whoever happens to be in front of you at that moment your full attention, which they should have anyway, but treat that person who stands before you like they are absolutely the most important person in the world. Because, at that moment, to you, they are.