Armed with Love: Honor

"Love is not rude," I Corinthians 13:5.
We are a family who loves to laugh at each other. With three teenagers in our home, we are very familiar with the foul odors that can be made by a person. We tend to make light of it. Some people would consider this incredibly rude. I consider this making the best of a very bad (smelling) situation. My grandmother used to call this "bathroom talk." My cousins and I used to tease her by going into the bathroom and having pleasant conversation when she would reprimand us for our poor choices in humor.
I Corinthians 13:5 tells us, "Love is not rude." The word "rude" in this sentence is the Greek word "aschēmoneō" which means, "to act unbecomingly." My Today's New International version says it this way, "Love does not dishonor." To dishonor someone is to treat the person as if they had no value. If we want to battle dishonor we must learn honor. To honor a person is to understand their value. In the Bible the words for honor and respect are the same Greek word, "timaō." Timaō is defined, "to honour, to have in honour, to revere, venerate." In I Peter 2:17 we see this command, "Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king." The word respect in this verse is the word "timaō." If I love someone with honor and respect then I revere them. Webster's Dictionary defines revere as, "to regard with respect tinged with awe." This sense of awe I must have brings something new to the mix. I must look at those I love with a new sense of awe. These creatures I live with are created uniquely by a loving God for His purpose. That is awesome.
I forget sometimes how awesome my children are. I neglect to consider my children's feelings when I am frustrated or overwhelmed. I am annoyed when they express the way they are uniquely made by God when it doesn't appeal to my sense of purpose for their lives. I sometimes say things that can be down right rude. I must learn to love them as God loves them realising that He has made them each for a special purpose. I must stand in awe and respect His creation.
Sometimes I forget how awesome my husband is. Truth be told, the dogs are the most excited creatures in the house to see my husband come home. They leap up when they hear the key slide into the lock. They jump and cheer as he enters the door. The dogs can't wait until they each receive their pet. The dogs should not be the only ones glad to see him come home. I should leap from my chair ready to greet him. I should show my appreciation for the sacrifices he made to provide for our family. I must show him the honor due him.
Domestic Warriors, we must fight our battles with honor. Prepare for battle with aprons on.