Honor for Family

Life's journey is difficult. It has some steep hills to conquer. But always remember that you do not travel alone. Friends do come and go, but family is always there.

"Working together is the best policy."

"United we stand and divided we fall."

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad


Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee. (Exodus 20:12)

"...chiefly respects immediate parents, both father and mother, by showing filial affection for them, and reverence and esteem of them, and by yielding obedience to them, and giving them relief and assistance in all things in which they need it; and if honour, esteem, affection, obedience, and reverence, are to be given to earthly parents, then much more to our Father which is in heaven, Mal_1:6." (John Gill)

What does it mean to honor thy father and thy mother and does it extend beyond the molding years when obedience is expected? Solomon spoke much of the relationship between children and their parents in Proverbs. For example,

A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. (Proverbs 10:1)
A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish man despiseth his mother. (Proverbs 15:20)
Whoso curseth his father or his mother, His lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness. (Proverbs 20:20)
Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, And despise not thy mother when she is old. (Proverbs 23:22)
Let thy father and thy mother be glad, And let her that bare thee rejoice. (Proverbs 23:25)

To honor thy father and mother is to obey (as a young child), to reverence, to honor, to keep in high esteem because of what they have done for you. They mold and shape you at a young age so that you will follow their instruction in the Lord. Young children do not know what the words "honor, reverence, esteem" mean. They only know what "obey" means. So I believe this command to honor thy father and thy mother extends beyond the years of when we are under their authority. We want our parents to rejoice and be glad because they see that our days may be long upon the earth, not in quantity only, but more so in quality.

I encourage you to give your dad and mom a call today and tell them "thank you." Give them a reason to be joyful today for the hard work they put forth to raise you up in the Lord. Do not despise them, even in your disagreements with them. Always honor and respect them as you do the Lord, your Father.

One more thing, I love you, Mom! I wish the happiest of birthdays to you! I trust your children (and grandchildren) bring you much joy, comfort and gladness. Forgive us our trespasses against you yesterday, today and tomorrow. I trust that you will have many more years of joy and fond memories with your family! Thank you.