What does loyalty look like to you? This photo says it all to me. Childhood friends and a dog. What could be more loyal? My dad is the fellow on the right. I have some great stories about his childhood. He was my example of loyalty, along with my husband and our dog Blue.
How loyal are you? Do you stick by your friends and family in tough times or do you tend to leave them hanging? At the first sign of trouble, do you jump ship, turn tail and run? Struggles and crises tend to bring people together. Going through tough times, we learn to lean on each other and help each other through.
Some of my best memories are of times when our family was struggling to make ends meet. The struggles brought us closer together as a family. We had a common ground. We remember sacrificing and getting along without certain things together. We made do with what we had and got creative in making memories.
Loyalty is about relationship: in marriage, in families, in friendships, to God and our country.
Loyalty in marriage
The divorce rate is coming down, thanks to millennials. It used to be around 50%. But it’s getting lower, not because there are fewer divorces, but because fewer people are getting married. Living together is the trend. People are afraid to commit. If things don’t work out, they can leave.
Are you committed to making your marriage work no matter what? Every marriage goes through troubles and hardships. It’s what makes you stronger together. Doesn’t it bring a smile to your face when you hear of someone who has been married 60 years? That’s a lot of loyalty. As parents, we are the best examples to our children in teaching loyalty. They are watching and learning from us, intently, every day to see how we handle the tough situations and crises, as well as the good times.
Loyalty to family
Parents and other family members deserve respect as well as loyalty. My parents used to say, “I brought you into this world, I can take you out.” Wait….That might be a “different” kind of family. Lol. As parents age, it is important to be loyal and be there for them no matter what. You need to stick up for each other through thick and thin. Help family members through the good times and bad. We all want to feel loved and accepted, especially by family.
Loyalty to friends
My husband is the perfect example here. He has the same friends he’s had through childhood and college. He makes an effort to stay connected to them. He will be there for them at the drop of a hat if they need him. They matter. Making people matter makes all the difference.
Loyalty to our country
This is the greatest country in the world. There are men and women who would, and do, lay down their lives fighting for the freedoms we enjoy. That, my friend, is loyalty and bravery.
Loyalty to God
He came to earth in the form of a man and laid down His life for us. He will never give up on us even though we turn our backs on Him. That is the ultimate example. Being able to be loyal even when the ones you love have turned their backs on you.
I hope my ramblings have helped you think about loyalty in some way. Here’s the loyalty worksheet to help you make it a habit.
God bless.—Barb
