As I wrote yesterday, I fell on Friday while out in the woods scouting for elk with my son Sam, his son James, and my son-in-law, who flew down from Fairbanks, Alaska, for this elk hunt. I didn’t go out with them this morning because I was so stiff and sore from my fall. As I sit here reading, writing, thinking, eating junk food, and drinking coffee, while they are out hunting, I have been replaying my embarrassing fall in my mind. The worst part was lying there on the ground, struggling to get up, feeling like a beached whale, with my kids helping me as I finally got back to my feet. 

While I was helping my Mom with my Dad the last couple months of his life, as he was dying of liver cancer, I did a lot of journaling about our conversations. One day, I wrote, “I think the last thing that will die in my Dad is his sense of dignity, or rather his desire for dignity.” Dying from liver cancer was such an undignifying experience for him. I wrote, “Dad is experiencing a lot of physical pain, but that is nothing compared to the amount of shame he is feeling because of being so helpless.” My Dad was very tough all through his life, growing up during the Great Depression, going through World War II, working hard to become a successful dairy farmer, and raising a good family. Now, he can’t take care of himself, let alone take care of others. 

I wrote in my journal, “I understand now why God instructed us to honor the aged; it is their greatest need at this point in their life.” I was very sad to think back and remember the many times I had dishonored my Dad with my words to him. The Bible says we are to honor our wives, parents, bosses, leaders, and each other. 

Psalms 71:1 The Prayer of an Old Man. “In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed.”

We live in an age where everyone seems to be trying to outdo those around them in shaming each other. Everyone is competing to see who can say the most humiliating thing about someone else. I guess they think they are the smartest, the toughest, and the most powerful if they do. I don’t want to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by living for the Lord, and doing things His way. It is embarrassing to me to think of all the times I have done things the way the world does. 

I will be careful to always give worth and dignity to all that I talk to, and to never embarrass or humiliate anyone. Please help me lord to remember and keep this commitment I am making to You.