Mary Heuss Nelson
Proverbs 6:20
My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
Proverbs has much to say about the relationship between parents and their children! Solomon was taught very well by his parents King David and Bathsheba. They were far from perfect, but because of this, I believe, they could help their child from falling into the same sins that they were caught in. However, this only works if the child listens and obeys!
Proverbs 23:22
Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
I was extremely blessed to have had wonderful, godly parents who not only talked to me much about Jesus, but lived their lives by example through placing Him at the center of their lives. My dad loved to talk about Jesus and discuss God’s Word daily. Some of my fondest memories of him are when we would talk about certain portions of Scripture and how to apply those to our lives. He was full of godly wisdom and I learned much from him. My mom was a gracious person who was always there with her gift of hospitality and full of love and nurture for those in need. Even as an adult I would seek the advice of my parents on things for it was evident to me that they had learned a lot in their years and I wanted to benefit from that!
There are many portions of Scripture that tell us to honor our parents. I have friends who did not have godly parents or even good parents, for that matter. God still expects us as His children to honor them because they gave us life. He expects us to include them in our lives and to care for them in their old age and not abandon them. By doing this as God’s children we are obeying Him and He will bless us for it.
1 Timothy 5:8
Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Notice how when God tells us to honor our parents He never says, “if they deserve it”? I believe this is because all parents will make mistakes in raising their children, for they are human. As great as my parents were, they still made some mistakes in raising me and my sisters and they were the first to admit that. God calls us to love people, mistakes and all! No one is perfect except Christ, so cut your parents some slack, most do the best they can and only want to help their children, not hurt them.
Ephesians 6:2-3
Honor your father and mother – which is the first commandment that comes with a promise- that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on earth.
Father God, thank you for my mom and dad and the godly advice and heritage that they left me. Thank You for being the perfect Parent Abba, and for loving me always even when I am at times so very unlovable. I love You so and give You all praise, honor, and respect this day, Amen!
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