Honour your father and mother
Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
God's commands are ever loving and peaceful to mankind, it is to help us live peaceably with fellow humans and ultimately with God
Some of these commands will help us sharpen our life and increases God's blessings in our life.
"Honour thy father and thy mother" is one of the ten commandments given to Moses for the Israelite and by extension to us too.
No one ever existed without having parent through whom they come to this world. Parents are demigod to thier children who is expected to groom and raise them to become what God wants them to become in life, both in physical and spiritual.
Parents are to be respected, honoured and appreciated at all times if we really want to please God in all things we do, irrespective of what they are doing to us, or what they have done in the past.. We must honour them. It brings us to the desire of God's love. When we place God first, our parent is the next in line followed by others.
Aside pleasing God while we honour our parents, another blessing that follows is an increase in the years God has blessed us with to spend in the land of the living... Honouring our parent is a secret to long life and prosperity... Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
In several ways we can honour our parents
1. Show them a healthy love
Parents had first showed the best love and care when we are infants and growing up, many sacrifice all they have just to put food on our tables, many cross the line to get us the best education, many denied themselves what they could have gotten for themselves just to get us what we desire... This love and care is expected to be reciprocated to our parents by us... Denying them this love is denying yourself God's grace and blessings. Don't wait till they die before you show that love.
Buy them gifts, even if it is not much, visit them often, call them if you couldn't visit, take them on tourism if you could, celebrate their birthdays and anniversaries. The love you show then when they are alive is the real love not the one you show during their burials.
2. Treat them with respect
Parents are treasures that can never be purchased in the market so you should treat them with respect
Talk kindly to them, don't ever speak harshly to them, Don’t engage them in arguments and walk away if you must. If you’re angry or hurt, follow this old adage: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” It may not feel fair when you have to act more mature than your parents, but you’ll be able to pillow your head at night knowing you did the right thing.
3. Forgive
Parents make mistakes. Children do not come with instruction manuals, whatever your parent has done to you, no mater how hurt or disappointed you may be, your parent remains your parent, even if they are godly or not, they are your guardian from God, you have to forgive them.
If Christ can forgive your multitude of sin, then you should forgive your parent for whatever they must have done to you, by this you honour your parent and fulfil God's commandment.
4. Pray for them.
Your parent may be going through a lot which may not be expressed to the outer world, it is your duty to pray for them... Speak to God on their behalf, by this you are honouring your parent.
Parents are irreplaceable, and you also will become a parent one day, treat them with care, show then love now and honour them. Don't wait till they die before you miss them.
The way you treat your parent now may be the way your children will treat you in latter times. Honour your parent now and have peace.
God bless you.
Prayer key:
1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of another day in Jesus Christ name
2. Lord, forgive me for behaving wrongly to my parents in Jesus Christ name.
3. Lord, bless my parent, and give then long life and good health in Jesus Christ name.
4. Thank you for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name.