Have you ever noticed that opinions about our parents change with each life stage? As small children, we tend to “think the world” of our moms and dads, believing that they can fix anything and that they are invincible. Small children willingly jump into their fathers’ arms because they have faith in them. Then, as teenagers, we begin to believe that we actually know more than our parents. But as adulthood creeps in, we begin to realize that our parents weren’t so “dumb” after all, because we learn to appreciate them for who they are. Read this poem written by a grateful daughter:
Life Lessons
You may have thought I didn’t see,
Or that I hadn’t heard,
Life lessons that you taught to me,
But I got every word.
Perhaps you thought I missed it all,
And that we’d grow apart,
But Dad, I picked up everything,
It’s written on my heart.
Without you, Dad, I wouldn’t be
The person I am today;
You built a strong foundation
No one can take away.
I’ve grown up with your values,
And I’m very glad I did;
So here’s to you, dear father,
From your forever grateful kid.
By Joanna Fuchs
Exodus 20:12Exodus 20:12
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
12 a Respect your father and your mother, and you will live a long time in the land I am giving you.
WP-Bible plugin commands, “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” By honoring our parents, we gain their wisdom. Many of us have been blessed with godly parents that have taught us through both their words and their actions. These parents instilled valued into their children and sought to build a foundation for their families. By honoring our parents, we accept their input and gain a little of their wisdom.
However, others may struggle with honoring a parent who wasn’t so godly. But it is still God’s desire for us. As we graciously forgive, we can learn from their mistakes and maybe even learn something about ourselves. God never gives us more than we can handle, and in every situation, He desires for us to learn more about Him as we rely on His strength alone. Regardless of circumstances, God has commanded us to honor our parents.
application
Make it a point to honor your parents this week. Maybe you just need to call and thank them for their input into your life, or maybe you need to forgive their mistakes and seek God as to what you are supposed to learn from them.
prayer
Dear God, thank you for my parents. Please help me to honor them with love, respect, and a life that they can be proud of. Help me to gain wisdom and understanding from them. Thank you, most of all, for being my Heavenly Father and for loving me unconditionally. Help me to also honor you with my words, thoughts, and actions. In your name I pray, Amen.
This post was originally distributed through PDF in conjunction with the Law And Order series, May 28, 2007.
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