Honor Your Mother and Father
Dear Friends,
I often write about how we as parents relate to our children and how we can help our children grow and mature in their faith. Today I want to think about how we as children relate to our parents. As my own parents age I think about the day when I may have to make difficult decisions regarding their care. I think about how I will have to watch their health decline and how I will, with love and respect and care, assist them in making the decisions that are best for them.
Every week, it seems, I hear of someone in our church who is challenged by the decisions that their family faces regarding the health of a parent. Our parents have loved us, nurtured us, and helped us grow in our faith. Now we find ourselves in a position to offer support and encouragement to them. The 5
th
Commandment given to the Israelites at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 20:12) challenges us to show honor and respect to our parents. We do that from the beginning of life until the end. There is no time limit. In the New Testament, Ephesians 6:2,3 tells us that this commandment is the only one with a promise. “If you honor your father and mother… then things will go well with you…”
It was a great blessing for me to have some extra time with my parents during my sabbatical. I recognize they will not be here forever. If your parents have already died, I pray for your peace and for strength for you to be able to celebrate their life. If your parents are still living, I pray that you will find ways to connect with them, love them, and support them through whatever challenges they may be facing. And whether alive or not, may we honor our parents in the way we think of them, speak of them, and love them.
There are many helpful resources for those who are struggling with decisions related to the care of an aging parent. If you would like to learn more about this, or perhaps be a part of a support group, please let me know. Grace and peace to you.
To God be the Glory!
Robert
