Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

I’ve been trying to walk worthy for some time now. I really am trying. Today I was paid respect by someone nearly my age. I felt embarrassed and made a mild joke about it. I realized afterwards that I was not honoring the respect given. I felt bad about it, but I am not used to receiving respect, even after all these years.

In a former life I was not worthy of respect. I was a selfish sinner, to say the least. When you live that sinful life you get used to the avoidance, the lack of respect. I’ve changed, I am not that man any longer and the people that respect me now never knew that other guy. They don’t have to find a way to forgive and forget hurt, because I have not hurt these people.

I need to learn how to accept respect with humility and not with humor. I do not presently know anyone who was part of that former life. If I ran into them, I don’t know if they would see me as I am. Would I see them for who they are now.

Perhaps the hardest people to be around is family. They knew me from a child and were part of my shady history. Most know I’ve changed but it doesn’t matter to them, I am still family and while they might love me, respect isn’t given.

Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

So Jesus knows how I feel.