To Give Weight
I am so good at split-second judgments. Seriously. Here’s three examples, and I bet you will all be in awe, as I’m sure none of you would ever think like this:
Are you braking more than I think necessary, or ignoring my blinker? GET OUT OF MY WAY.
Do you have an argument that I think is pointless in a business meeting? STOP TALKING.
Are you writing a check for your groceries? I CAN’T EVEN DIGNIFY THAT WITH A RESPONSE.
See? It just bubbles out, without my working at it, thinking about it, or even being particularly ticked off.
Our pastor’s message this weekend gave me pause from my High Hill of Knowing. He was talking about honoring our Fathers and Mothers – Commandment Five of only 10 to live by, so I guess it might be a big deal. Honoring parents is a big deal, especially seeing as I’m getting another set in a few months. 🙂 But even more than that is how we honor others, moms and dads included.
In my independent sass, I think I’ve got the skinny on How the World Should Run, and if you interfere, than I will *poof* you and your ideas away. While the point of honoring is not to bow to errant points of view, or to lose yourself in your “respect” of others, it is not these prideful assumptions either.
To honor is “to give weight” to someone and their thoughts, ideas and personality. To build people up rather than tearing them down, to listen to their point of view instead of crafting a rebuttal or writing them off. It’s a softer strength, a way of letting your light shine while still being an inviting person for the World to confide in.
It’s the daily decision to smile at fellow elevator-riders and lonely cashiers, to stop doing and listen for a moment. It’s the grace to lose a few extra minutes on the freeway and not your sanity. It’s the Sunday School mantra of “Others First, Yourself Last” – I’m not always right, others deserve affirmation, and no matter how silly I think the problem is, no matter how many things I have to do (Youreallyjustcan’tunderstandI’msobusyandimportant); people are ALWAYS worth giving weight to.
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