2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
2:16 As free, and not using [your] liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
2:17 Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
2:18 Servants, [be] subject to [your] masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
2:19 For this [is] thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
2:20 For what glory [is it], if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it], ye take it patiently, this [is] acceptable with God.
2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously:
2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
A few years ago, when i first became a Christian and even some time before, my mom and i had disrespecting authority issues. She had, when she was sixteen, gotten emancipated from her mother to live with her new husband, my father. So knowing the laws on that sort of stuff, i started thinking about doing it myself. But not because i was getting married, but because we didn't get along and, later, had conflicting beliefs or religions. When i started seriously thinking about it, i was thankfully a Christian and sought out God's advice. He pointed me to Ecclesiastes 10:4 and 1 Peter 2:13-25. I had no choice. I had to obey God and therefore obey my mother. I had to stay and live with her. Now i am so grateful that i did and still do. I may not have known then, God now shows me why i had to. I just had to follow God and trust Him. It took a while to get out of those rough patches, but God is faithful and opened doors. Even though we still hit a few bumps, we love eachother and are there for one another. And thats whats important. I am still learning how to respect and obey authority, but ive come a long way thanks to Gods words of wisdom and guidance. I love going back to those verses and reading them. It reminds me of how much God has shaped me and is still molding me into His image. It reminds me of how much He loves me. Later on, I met a girl who had the same issues i did. Except she took a different path. She is in the foster care system and lives with strangers instead of with her mother. I find it really sad. We used to care for kids in that system and i couldve ended up there myself. i am so grateful that i didnt take that road. God showed me a different way. He made me wait and watch Him as He came into my life and slowly mended my mom's and my relationship. Thank You, Jesus! Onto You be all the glory! I love you, mom.