Today would have been my parents seventy-seventh wedding anniversary. Each time this day arrives on the calendar my heart is flooded with wonderful memories and a sense of love.
Dad has been in heaven for seventeen years and Mom joined him a year ago. Theirs was not a perfect marriage but we always knew they loved each other and would work together to make it through the tough times. I am so glad for that example.
One of the Ten Commandments is for us to honor our fathers and mothers.
“You must honor and respect your father and your mother. Do this so that you will have a full life in the land that the Lord your God gives you.” Exodus 20:12 ERV
Parents were established by God to be an outreach of His love to us, His children. When we honor them as His authority in the home, we are honoring His word. We are honoring Him.
We have a promise of long life if we honor and obey our parents.
“Children, obey your parents the way the Lord wants, because this is the right thing to do. 2 The command says, “You must respect your father and mother.” This is the first command that has a promise with it. 3 And this is the promise: “Then all will go well with you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3 ERV
I wasn’t always the most obedient child, that I will admit. I had my times of doing my own thing and going my own way but still they loved me.
It breaks my heart when I see kids who disrespect their parents, who feel their ways are old fashioned and out of touch. It makes me wonder how our heavenly Father’s heart must ache for His children who are “off doing their own thing”.
“A few days later the younger son gathered up all that he had and left. He traveled far away to another country, and there he wasted his money living like a fool…The son realized that he had been very foolish. He thought, ‘All my father’s hired workers have plenty of food. But here I am, almost dead because I have nothing to eat…While the son was still a long way off, his father saw him coming and felt sorry for him. So he ran to him and hugged and kissed him…My son was dead, but now he is alive again! He was lost, but now he is found!’ So they began to have a party.” Luke 15:11-24 ERV
Even when we are gone from His presence, the Father is watching for us to come home. When we come back, He runs to embrace us and welcomes us with loving arms.
If you’re earthly parents are gone, like mine are, and you feel that you didn’t show them the honor and respect they were due, go to the heavenly Father and repent. He has a forgiving heart and open arms.
If your parents weren’t loving or godly, go to the Father and let Him heal those hurts and embrace you as His child.
If you still have your folks give them a call. Tell them you love them and thank them for doing the best they knew how in raising you. Give them honor as God instructed us too.