It is a dilemma that has puzzled me for years. Many times I have prayed and sought the Lord for an answer. I want this to come into focus, to be clear, so that I know I am responding as He commands. Finally, clarity came today …

The first commandment with promise is this: Honor your father and mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 5:16 / Mark 7:10 NIV

Honor. What does that really mean? I mean, how do you do that? And what if the actions or attitudes of your father or mother are not honorable? How can you honor that which is not honorable? Let’s get real, parents are people, too. They make mistakes, have personalities, strengths and weaknesses, quirks and moods, and face life challenges just like we do. And if you’re a parent like me, you may recognize as I do that sometimes my children could be hard pressed to see me as honorable.

At last, a definition of honor made sense to me today. Honor simply means to value. There may be times when parents, just like each of us, do not act honorably, but, the Christ follower can still fulfill the command to honor them, simply by valuing them. So how does this translate to action? Well, I would ask, what do you do when you value something? Put this same action or attitude into practice where your parents are concerned. Do this in word, in action, in your heart and you will find yourself honoring your father and mother, acting out the Word of God. Then you will be set to receive God’s promise.

Um … how good God is to command us to do what is pleasing to Him and helpful to us! I cannot boast to have always done this correctly. But, I am determined to consciously honor (value) my father and mother. What about you? Have you ever struggled with this as a child or as a parent? Perhaps you have practiced this well and experienced the blessings promised. I’d love to hear about it!

Great promise lies ahead for those who chose to put this Word in living color …

“… so that you may live long and that it may go well with you …”

Blessings …Tanja Dufrene
Women’s Ministries
Lakeside-Highpointe