What is your relationship with your parents? Is it one of respect? Is it a strained relationship? Have you spent time putting yourself in their shoes? Do you attempt to see through their eyes? Are you willing to honor them as God has commanded?
We see varying relationships between children and parents. Some are very good. Others are not good at all. Many reasons are given for those that are not good. Some justified, some not. Some are strained because of selfishness, self-pity, and obstinance.
God commands us to honor our father and mother. There are circumstances which can make that very difficult. We know there are some parents who are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Some parents are abusive. God does not expect you to remain in dangerous situations. However, He has called us to love and forgive as He has done. No, that is not easy to do in all situations. It may require years to be able to love and forgive, depending on the situation and our relationship with God.
On the other hand, we also see relationships that appear to be very good, yet children behave disrespectful toward their parents. In many cases, they don’t even realize it. We can put the blame on society. We can blame today’s culture. But what does that say about us? It says we have strayed far from God and His desires for our lives.
God did not randomly command children to honor their parents. Nor did He randomly tell parents to love and care for their children. The family unit is precious to God. After all, God has adopted each of us into His family. Honoring our father and mother is an act of worship to God. In honoring them, we honor Him.
I pray we all honor God. I pray we honor our father and mother as God has commanded. I pray each one of us will determine to toss aside societal norms to obey God’s commands. Honor God. Honor your parents. Love your children. Hold the family in high esteem. Obey God’s commands.
Matthew 15:3-7a Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites!”
Marty Pressey 