Do you find it difficult to honor your parents? It’s time to find the honor.

TODAY’S PROVERBS: Listen to your father who begot you and do not despise your mother when she is old. Proverbs 23:22

A little over a year ago, I sat next to my mother’s hospital bed, slept in the chair-bed at

My Adorable Mom, Phyllis

night, helped her with personal needs, and held her hand as she weathered a scary event with her heart. While it was exhausting, it was an honor.

This woman who bore me, and along with my father taught me right from wrong, gave me a love for the Bible, now needed me. And through circumstances orchestrated by our Heavenly Father, I was able to be there for her.

Our parents should be respected and honored, even if they weren’t perfect. Weren’t the best. Didn’t give us the happiest of childhoods. When some people speak of their parents, there’s heartbreak and loss. Maybe even bitterness and anger.

Still, we are commanded to honor them (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16). It’s the first commandment God gave us that comes with a promise:

“Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long upon the land which Adonai your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12

For those whose parents who passed on the wisdom and knowledge of their parents, we should seek to continue that legacy. It’s an honor. One of the greatest joys a parent has is watching their children emulate those good behaviors we modeled for them. Hearing wisdom in their voices and seeing them in their lives.

Thankfully, mom’s heart stabilized and she was able to return to her home and her busy life. I am grateful to have been able to be there for her in a tangible way and hope to be there in the years ahead.

If your parents or parent are still on this earth and there are unresolved issues, hand them over to the Lord and seek His healing and guidance. Sometimes, we just have to let go the bad memories and be grateful in the simple fact that were it not for them, we wouldn’t be here at all. And that is a good thing.

May we find the honor for our parents, my friends.

Proverbs 23:22 Tree of Life Bible Society, Tree of Life Version – TLV, #tlvbible, #tlvproverbs