To Whom Honor is Due

Render to all men their dues. [Pay] taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, and honor to whom honor is due. Romans 13:7 (Amplified Bible)

There are times when God makes His way down to the bedrock of my soul in order to help me see the most precious truths. That is where His hand has been felt in the past number of months. I wanted quick results and resolutions to difficulties but God wanted to bring forth gold. He has dug below the surface with depth in mind. When I wanted things over, He was just getting started. Each time I “learned” a lesson and thought I was coming out of the darkest of caves, He let me know I had only received a small dose of truth which was necessary in order to take in the next dose.

This morning as I once again battled thoughts regarding a lost relationship I was confronted with two necessary truths. It seems that lately it is not difficult to understand the points God is making and wanting me to grasp. As I found myself dwelling on the thought that a former mentor was thinking the worst of me, I had to face two things. First, I don’t really know her heart and my perceptions are actually judgments I am making. Second, I am actually thinking the worst of her and placing her in the most negative of lights by assuming she is thinking only negative thoughts with regards to me.

I have come to the place that when I see a problem in my own heart I know it is time to ask God for some direction and help. My question to Him was, “How do I stop thinking and feeling this way?” His answer came in today’s verse, “Give honor to whom honor is due.” He began to encourage me to honor this woman for the many things I learned through her and the huge impact she had on my life. Honor the way He used her to teach me valuable life lessons and biblical truth. Honor what He did through her by living out the very things she taught me. Honor her for being His daughter and my sister in Christ. Honor the good memories that abound knowing that for a season she helped me take many first steps in this journey that began over four years ago. Honor each gift she instilled in me and what was birthed out of those gifts. Honor her commitment to mentor me and then her wisdom to step away. Honor the God who has had His hand in all of it!

My day has been spent honoring her and God in those ways and many others. What I am finding is that the thoughts that have tormented me and hung on me for so long have begun to lose their grip. I am also seeing many other people from my past who need to be honored in my mind and heart as well. God never ceases to amaze me!

Father, I have spent a year dishonoring your servant and your work in me. Forgive me for the things I have said and thought. Help me to now practice what You have lovingly shown me. Amen.

The Wind Beneath My Wings (Dedicated to my former mentor and all those I honor)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FryTIiUqU7I&feature=related