Bestow Honor
Don’t be harsh or impatient with an older man. Talk to him as you would your own father, and to the younger men as your brothers. Reverently honor an older woman as you would your mother, and the younger women as sisters.
1 Timothy 5:1-2 (The Message)
These are two of my favorite photos. In the first one my father and I are attending our youngest son's wedding. The second shows my husband escorting his mother home after she attended a bridal shower for our daughter. The element in each of these photographs that thrills my heart is the "hand hold". Touch says so much!
I'm currently leading a three week study on the book The Women of Christmas. I asked the ladies in my church connect group to pray and invite the person the Lord laid upon their heart to the study. In this group of fifteen women there are three sets of mothers/grandmother living with their daughters/granddaughter. Another woman has just moved to this area to care for her father, who is still in his home. It's a beautiful sign of honor, respect and sacrifice for the aging. None of them would say it's easy, but they feel it is the right thing for them to do.
The holidays are coming and families will be gathering. Let's pray that the seniors at this gatherings will be given seats of honor around the table and that we will set a tone of respect by appreciating their experiences and teaching our children we have much to learn from our elders.
Ask these individuals to say the blessing. Give them the opportunity to tell a story from their past holidays; if gifts are open have them open their's first and keep the children close by in a posture of respect. When photos are taken be certain the older family members are front and center.
Let's Pray:
Father, I praise and thank You for the Spirit's power. May we allow Him to teach us to be respectful and encouraging to all ages, especially the senior adult members in our gatherings this holiday season. May we slow our pace and take notice of these individuals and sit with them, listen to them and love on them. In Jesus Name. Amen
The Songs
Honor your Father and Mother Steve Green
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJYVl7pVL-s
For the Honor Elevation Worship
