““Honor (respect, obey, care for) your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged in the land the Lord your God gives you.”
Exodus 20:12 AMP
I have a few go-to, must-read-and-reread books – and Honors Reward by John Bevere is one of them. I read it in a season when I was serving on staff at Shady Grove Church as the founding pastor’s personal assistant and it revolutionized how I approached people.
To honor someone means to hold that person in high regard because of who they are and/or the position they hold. For me – I believe I am to honor everyone I encounter and treat them in an honorable way simply because all life comes from G-d alone.
Honoring others starts at home. How we treat, talk to, and respond to our parents, our spouses, and even our children, teaches our children how to respond, treat, and talk to others. Do we use kind words or are we critical? Do we listen – truly listen – or are we constantly cutting someone off or disregarding their words? Do we give a soft answer or a harsh one? And – when I’m the one mistreated, how do I respond? When I’m cut off in traffic or yelled and cussed at in my job, how do I respond to that individual? It’s not easy – but it is my choice.
Here’s the simple truth: Honor depends entirely upon us.
People may have actions that are dishonorable but that doesn’t mean I have to respond dishonorably. People may yell but I can choose a soft answer. I may be mistreated but I can choose to respond kindly and set a boundary to protect myself in the future.
It’s important to me to raise kind kids that honor other humans. It’s important to me to teach my children how to set boundaries and have healthy discussions when they disagree.
It’s funny this verse comes up today when I am moving from one parent’s house to another. We’ve lived on the same property as my in laws for the last 6 years. Our primary reason for staying here was to honor them. Today we move to my parents – our reason? To honor them.
12 moves. 22 years of marriage. Each move a different reason but always behind each move was a desire to honor G-d. And the reward for honor? When I honor my parents and honor others, I can be assured of His protection:
“‘Honor your father and your mother just as Adonai your God commanded you, so that your days may be long and it may go well with you in the land Adonai your God is giving you.”
Deuteronomy 5:16 TLV
Father – help me to honor those around me. Help me to honor my family through word, action, and deed. Help me to walk faithfully to the land that You’ve called us to because You are good, You can be trusted, and Your leadership in my life is perfect. Amen.
Daily reading: Exodus 19-21