Healthy Love Delights in Honor

March 20, 2025

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:10 NLT

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10 ESV

“I love you, Mother,” said little John. Then forgetting his work, his cap went on.

And off to the garden he went to the swing, forgetting the coal and wood to bring.

“I love you, Mother,” said little Nell. “I love you better than tongue can tell.”

Then she teased and pouted full half the day, so her mother rejoiced when she went out to play.

“I love you, Mother,” said little Fran. “Today I’ll help you all I can.

How glad I am that school doesn’t keep. And she rocked the baby ’til it fell asleep.

Then stepping softly, she took the broom and swept the floor and dusted the room.

Happy and busy all day was she, as helpful and busy as a child could be.

“I love you, Mother,” again they said, three little children going to bed.

How do you think that mother guessed which one of them really loved her best?

(author unknown)

My mother had me memorize this poem when I was a child. She taught me that love and honor go together. You can’t have truly helpful and meaningful love without honor. Honor has a high degree of selflessness about it. Only Fran loved her mother with honor. And she delighted in showing honor to her mother. Honoring her mother wasn’t born of a competitive spirit. It came from a desire to have her mother’s deepest needs met.

To show honor to each other means to demonstrate value and esteem for others, treating them with consideration and recognizing their worth, both in words and actions. Christians are called to outdo one another in showing honor. That’s an uphill push in our highly sarcastic, get-in-your-digs, do as little as possible, or at least only what’s convenient society. Honor is more than respect. Respect is an attitude we often say others must earn, but honor is a gift we freely give. We honor others when it’s in our hearts to do so.

We are called as Jesus followers to not skimp on honor but to outdo each other in showing honor. Can you imagine a relationship that won’t be better if the parties do that? Can you imagine our world? I can promise you this: No one you will meet tomorrow will be experiencing too much honor and value. I can promise you every single person you meet will benefit from a dose of honor from you. Go for it. I will too. Let’s outdo each other!

• What will you do today to spread honor like sunshine on a dark day?