DOUBLE
STANDARDS
I stood in front of my
students, trying my best to look
teacherish (you know that look, the one
with the slightly cocked eyebrow as you
peer over the rim of your glasses), and
said, “Now, who remembers the Respect
Rules?” I figured after some of the behavior
that had taken place, it was time to refresh
ourselves in this area. Hands raised, and
students replied with the answers:
“Respect God, respect the teacher, respect
the classmates, respect the classroom, and
respect myself.”
I gave a smile of approval at their correct
answers because I am a mature adult who
can pass rules upon others since I have
achieved sainthood.
Words by MarJanita Geigley | Photo by Heidi Stutzman
Okay, I have not achieved sainthood. Let
me be honest here. By my age, I have
become a pro at saying one thing and
living another.
Read my blog or listen to the advice I give
my 1st-8th graders, and you would think
that I am a pretty good person. Follow me
in my personal life, and you would quickly
discover that I do not follow through with
everything I “preach”.
This is my confession; these are a few of
the areas where I struggle with “double
standards”. And if you are an average
Words by MarJanita Geigley
10| Image by Heidi Stutzman
woman, you might struggle with some of
them yourself.
Respect God
We women are good at this one, right? I
definitely am. I sing with enthusiasm on
Sunday morning, can turn to the correct
place in the Bible when a reference is
given, and enjoy telling those around
me how much I love Jesus. But isn’t it
ironic that I push through my devotions
as quickly as possi