(Exodus 20:12)
Honor your Mother and Father. This is not a suggestion or a choice we
have. This is one of those issues God literally has carved into stone. I
want to
look at this today from two perspectives. The first is a swift kick in the
backside for those who have been neglecting their parents. The second is
for those with a more complicated situation where there has been damage to
your
relationship with your Mom, Dad, or both. In the first case, let me just lay
an incredible guilt trip on you this morning. You get so busy in your day-
to-day life, you neglect your parents. I am so thankful today that during
the
last two years of my Mother's life, I called her twice a week. Most calls
didn't last long, but it was the thought, the contact, the gesture to let
her know I loved her and was thinking about her. For me, living the
organized
structured life I do, I had to put it on my Daytimer each week. But I have
to put eating on my Daytimer. If it isn't on the Daytimer it doesn't get
done. I tell you that to say, whatever you have to do, make it a priority
to contact your Mom and Dad at least once a week. They will appreciate it,
you
will be thankful for it, and God has commanded you to honor them. My Father
passed away when I was just 15, and during my early adult life I only dealt
with my mother on holiday's. She passed away on Christmas of 1998. I am so
thankful to the Lord that in 1992 we reestablished a close relationship and
during the last couple years of her life, we were very close. You only have
one Mom and one Dad, so cherish them, honor them.
I realize from my emails each day, that many of you have a difficult
relationship with your Mom and Dad for many reasons. With divorce so
prevalent in the last 20 years, that has strained many relationships. There
are many other factors that have resulted in distant relationships. Here is
what I must encourage you with today. God commanded that we honor our
parents. Just like in other relationships, you can never control the heart
of your Mother or Father. Only God can do that. To follow the Lord, you
have to put forth your best effort though. Regardless of the hurt and pain
from what may have happened in the past, you need to forgive and love them.
If
they reject these advances of love, then you have done all that you can do,
and we just need to pray for God to move on their heart. But you MUST try.
It is not an option. I realize that it will be difficult for some of you
because of things that have happened in the past. But you must rise above
your feelings and follow God. He will always honor your commitment to
follow Him and obey Him. He will give you strength beyond yourself when you
are
following Him. Make the effort. Pray, ask God for the strength, and reach
out to them today.
I love you, am praying for you, and will be praying especially for you today
to make honoring your Mother and Father a priority. God has given us
some very clear guidelines to live by, and this is one of them. As in
everything, when we are in obedience to His will and way, He blesses us. To
know the fullness of His blessings, we must follow Him and obey Him. Make
today a special day. No matter what, at least pick up the phone today and
call your Mom, your Dad, and tell them how much you love them. Life is so
short. I wish sometimes that I could call my Dad or Mom, and just say I
love you. They are both with the Lord, so I can't do that. If your Mom and
Dad are still alive, then track them down today. It will only take a few
minutes. Just simply tell them how much you love them. God loves you
deeply. Show your love for Him today by honoring your Mother and Father.
He commanded that we do this.
