Honouring people

Shah Jahan, an Indian emperor, wanted to build something epic in memory of his recently deceased wife. So he took her coffin and ordered the construction of the majestic white Taj Mahal to begin around it. But he became more obsessed with the building project than why he was building. One day he went to check the work and tripped over an old wooden box. Irritated, he ordered the box to be thrown out. Only later did he learn it was his wife's coffin!

Giving people the honour due to them is important, whether they're our Mrs or Mr or not. Honour means respect, attention, time... basic human stuff that applies to every relationship we have. We generally approach our friendships and family relations with good intentions, wanting to give them the attention and respect they deserve. But life happens. We can get so wrapped up in the stuff we're doing that we neglect those who need our love. Maybe not in a major way, but we may get short-tempered, or not reply to a text, or unthinkingly push someone to last on our priority list.

The bottom line is: people matter more than projects and the busy-ness that can easily happen in our lives; and it's vital to honour them and show them they're important.



So what now? What could you do with right now? Food? A cup of coffee? Help with cleaning? Whatever it is, first check who's around you, and get/do it for them too. Develop a habit of acknowledging those around you and honouring them.





— SCRIPTURE —

'Take delight in honouring each other.' Romans 12:10 TLB
— SOULFOOD —

Jer 31:31-37, Heb 8:1-13