Parents. Without them, we wouldn’t be on this earth. They are the ones that lead by example, teach us how to live, correct and discipline us, dole out our chores, and so much more.

They love us and we love them. Yet there are times when it’s hard to understand where they come from. We just can’t get why they want us to put down what we are doing and go do the dishes this minute, or why they say we aren’t allowed to go hang out with our friends when we want to. No matter how hard it can be to listen to them during these times, we need to. Why? For the simple reason that God commands it of us!

A Commandment

Of the ten commandments that God instructed Moses to etch into his slabs of stone, the fifth one is the only one to do with parents. Yet, it doesn’t beat around the bush. “Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” (Exodus 20:12, KJV)

Is that not clear or what?

Honor. The dictionary meaning is “high respect; high rank or position; to respect highly.”  Placing them above yourself. Treating them as you would a high-ranking person. God has placed our parents above us, calling them to raise us in the way of the Lord. That calling is a big responsibility. At times, it can be difficult, especially when we make it so! God calls us children to honor our parents, so we must do our best to do just that. Not only does it show our obedience to God, but it also makes both our parents’ lives and our own lives much easier.

At Any Age

Our parents have the last say in our lives throughout our minor years. But let’s say you’re a legal adult. You might still live under the same roof, or maybe you have your own place. You  might possibly live out of state, or out of the country, even. Do these rules still apply to you?

Yes.

God told us to honor our parents. Period. He didn’t put an age stipulation on it, or say that you’re exempted from the rules if you have a bachelor’s degree or have X amount of money in the bank. He says to honor them, so that our days may be long on the earth. Whether you’re sixteen, or twenty, or thirty-five, God says to honor them. And with honor comes respect.

In following God’s orders, we are to honor and respect our parents. So that means when they tell us to do something, we need to listen carefully. When they speak, we need to make eye contact and not interrupt them. When they ask us to do a task, we need to do it wholeheartedly.

This can be hard, especially when we don’t see eye to eye with our parents. Why now, of all times, does your mom deem it fit for you to pull weeds? Or why is being late for dinner really that big of a deal? Even if they’re criticising your work, or telling us all the ways we went wrong in our latest accomplishment, it’s so easy at times to forget that we need to respond with respect and love. It’s so easy to get upset, frustrated, and even downright angry with them. But if we are to treat them with respect, we need to not fight with them. Be the one to extinguish the argument that is on the tip of your tongue. When you feel what they’re asking is unfair or unjust, take a minute to go somewhere by yourself, take a deep breath, and pray for patience and understanding. Ask for a glad heart to do what they ask of you.

The Lord tells us that whatever we set our hands to do, we should do it with our whole heart, and to the best of our ability. Go above and beyond what is asked of you. Wash the dishes and put them away. Vacuum your room and dust it. Tidy and organize too, while you’re at it! This demonstrates our love and respect for our parents, which is exactly what Jesus implores us to do. 

Children, Obey

As Christians, we should be seeking and striving to please the Lord in everything. Colossians 3:20 (KJV) says “Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.” In obeying our parents, not only are we honoring them, but we are honoring God as well. Ephesians 6:1-3 tells us to obey our parents because it is the right thing to do.

God wasn’t just putting it out there when He instructed us how to treat our parents. The Bible says in black and white to honor them. But it doesn’t say it will be easy. Good things rarely are. There will be times when we don’t want to listen to our parents or don’t agree with their methods. But it’s in those times when we need to remember that the Lord commands us to honor our parents, and to respect and defer to their thoughts and ideas.

So, dear Rose, as you go forward with your life, strive to go out of your way to honor your parents. Fold that load of laundry that you know needs to be done. Help with odd jobs or small things that need to be put away.

Take time to listen quietly, and to put them above yourself, “for this is well pleasing to the Lord” (Colossians 3:20 KJV).

Now it’s your turn.

What ways can you think of to honor your parents even when you don’t want to?

Comment below, Roses, and let’s uplift each other!

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