Honor…..
This word has followed me around a lot in the last several
months. And I’m coming to realize that honor is a great prize. Honor is also
something I haven’t always done well. However after a recent dinner out with my
husband I’ve come to realize the utter importance of honor. The honor I give to
my husband and the honor I receive from him. Let me explain.
Several months back I was at dinner with my husband and
another couple that we haven’t seen in a long, long time. It was an enjoyable
enough evening. But something began to happen throughout our meal that really started
to bug me.
It began with subtlety but became more and more abrupt and
troubling.
The diners next to us were very close to us and I noticed a man was obviously whispering something to the man next to him and then snickering as he looked toward to bar of the
restaurant. This behavior increased as the wine flowed until it beame so
distracting that I couldn't help but notice that this man’s growing whispers about feminine body parts and learing looks were directed toward a certain woman at the bar.
I purposed to ignore this man’s interruptions and went on to
talk with my friends at the table. Dinner ended and we went home. However, for the rest of the evening I
grew increasingly embarrassed for the poor woman who was obviously the wife of this man. And in an instant it was as
if the Holy Spirit hit me upside the head. This woman was greatly dishonored in
public by her husband. I grieved for her.
And then immediately I realized that my husband has never
dishonored me by ogling other women. As soon as the
thought entered my head, I walked into the bedroom where my husband was
dressing and I thanked him for honoring me in this way.
He has always honored me in public. And I’m just now understanding
what a valuable gift he has given to me.
My friends, there are a lot of people who would say there’s
nothing wrong with a little looking and admiring and it’s only normal for guys.
And there are many women who like to complain to their girlfriends about every tiny
thing their husband does or about the things he doesn't do. I know,
because I used to be one of them.
But, we the children of God, are called to honor.
HONOR…
We are called as believing husbands and wives to honor our
spouse, especially in public, and to love them as Christ loves the church.
So, for me this Father’s Day as we honor men, I think I’m seeing the man of
my dreams emerge. He remains a pre-believer but God has given me a man of
integrity and honor. He is an amazing father. So today, I honor you Mike
Donovan. You are a man that rises far above the crowd. I’m blessed to be called
by the name Mrs. Lynn Donovan.
And to every SUMite man who stops in here from time-to-time,
we honor you this day, a day we celebrate men and fathers. You walk a very difficult path with even less resources
and encouragement than women who are married to unbelievers. So today, we the SUMITE
women pray for you.
Our Lord God, today we bring before you every man who is a
reader here and is married to an unbelieving wife. Lord, pour upon him Your
honor. Grant him Your unending love and lavish upon him great encouragement.
Remind this man that You stand with him when he attends church alone. Remind
him that every moment that he loves His children and shares truth with him that
he is doing the right thing. Remind him that through Christ he can do all
things. Hold this man up when he feels abandoned and lonely. Fill this man with
a fresh anointing to keep on living in his mismatched marriage and to see that
eternities are at stake. Bless this man with abundance in his job and among his
coworkers, his bosses and clients. Bless him and affirm that his faith is
always enough to carry him and his family through life. We the SUMites stand in
the gap for him and his family this day and we love him. In the name of our
King Jesus. Amen.
Leave a Reply