May 7
Loving Each Other
with Honor
“Love one another deeply. Honor others more than yourselves.”
Romans 12:10, NIrV
Emily stood at the kitchen sink, scrubbing a pot that seemed to have every intention of staying dirty. Her eyes glanced toward the clock—11:45 p.m. It had been another long day. Between dropping the kids off at school, helping with homework, cooking dinner, and doing laundry, she hadn’t stopped once to catch her breath.
Yet, despite all her efforts, she felt invisible. Jake, her husband, had come home from work, eaten dinner, and settled in front of the TV without so much as a thank you. The silence between them had grown colder over the months, and Emily couldn’t remember the last time they had laughed together or shared a meaningful conversation.
Her heart ached as she whispered, “Lord, does he even see me anymore?”
That night, unable to sleep, Emily opened her Bible and came across Romans 12:10: “Love one another deeply. Honor others more than yourselves.” The words stung. She realized that while she longed for Jake to honor her efforts, she had stopped honoring him too. Resentment had crept into her heart, and her love for Jake had become conditional—measured by his actions or lack thereof.
Emily knelt beside her bed and prayed. “Lord, I’m tired and hurt. I feel unseen, but I know You see me. Help me to honor Jake, even when it feels one-sided. Teach me to love him as You love me, without conditions.”
The next morning, Emily decided to make a change. Instead of dwelling on her frustrations, she began finding small ways to appreciate Jake. She left a note in his lunchbox: “Thank you for working hard for our family.” She asked about his day when he came home, even when she was exhausted.
Jake noticed the shift. At first, he didn’t say much, but over time, he began to respond in kind. One evening, after dinner, he surprised Emily by cleaning the kitchen. “I’ve been taking you for granted,” he admitted. “You do so much for us, and I’ve been blind to it. I’m sorry.”
Tears welled up in Emily’s eyes. In that moment, she felt seen—not just by Jake, but by God, who had been working in both of their hearts.
Their marriage didn’t transform overnight, but the intentional effort to honor and love one another deeply rekindled the warmth and connection they had both been missing.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for showing us how to love unconditionally.
Help us to honor one another, even when it feels difficult.
Teach us to see the sacrifices and efforts of those around us, and give us the courage to express our gratitude.
Like Emily, may we reflect Your love in our relationships, transforming hearts and restoring connections.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
