What do you think of when you hear the word honor? I think of my father. He had honor when he fought for America, defended our streets as a policeman, and raised me to be the woman I am. I respect my father. I didn't always like him or his decisions, but I still tried to respect him. When we honor someone, we show them respect.
What about God? Do we honor God with our actions, words, and hearts? Do we recognize all He has done for us? It is so easy to honor God with our lips and our actions, but the fruits we do or do not produce indicated if we fully honor Him. My heart can be withdrawn, yet I can still praise God with my lips.
How easy it is to lose sight of the One who gave us life. How easy it is to lay blame on others and on God, rather than look at our own hearts. Why is it so difficult to let someone else be right? I know so many people who struggle with control. Controlling their spouses, their kids, their family members, co-workers, and God. I have learned from my own experience of addiction to control, that through what I thought was control of my life, I was really out of control.
Today I went for a walk during lunch. For the last year my body has not been in my "control". It has had a mind of its own. This I have no control in how I will feel at any time during the day. I am still mourning this loss. But that is for my other blog. Today I decided that no matter what my body said, I was going to walk. I missed the quiet time by myself thinking, praying, praising and just enjoying the beauty God has given us. I started my walk sad, upset, and down. I cried out to God asking him what to do. I didn't stop the words flowing from my brain. Then I remembered a sermon at church. The pastor reminded us sometimes we just have to shut up and listen. So I did. I shut my mouth up and listened to what God wanted to say.
Oh how freeing that is for me! He showed me how valuable I am. I am a daughter of His. I have his inheritance. No words can take away that love. He reminded me I am no longer bound as a slave to my old ways, my old thoughts, my old fears. I finally saw the truth He has been showing me for years - my worth is not determined by anyone but God. No matter who is mad at me, who doesn't like me, or who judges me for what I believe, I am a wonderful creation of God's. No one can EVER take that from me. No matter where I am or who I face, God sees me as His miraculous and beautify daughter. Nothing will ever change that. I need to honor that love with all my heart.
My life changed today. I no longer look for approval from man but from the one who truly created me. His love holds me up. His shelter protects me from those who want to harm me. His path is the right path to follow. Thank you Jesus for meeting me on a Monday afternoon. I needed the reminder again. I am always Held by His Boundless Grace. Nothing will ever change that.
