“‘Honor your father and mother’–which is the first commandment with a promise—‘that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’” Eph 6:2-3 (NIV)
One way to honor your parents is to learn what they know. Recently I visited my dad on the front porch of the nursing home where he resides. My parents have been divorced for over thirty years now. The beauty of the visit was the fact that my mom went with me to see my dad. It was very interesting and meaningful at the same time. One of the highlights of our visit took place when I asked my dad to tell about his upbringing and eventual marriage to my mom. I asked him to help me understand what caused him to take his first drink of alcohol and to help me understand what led him down the path to becoming an alcoholic.
Some of the most powerful lessons I have learned in life have come from being reared in a single-parent family since age seven. For me to fail to learn what my parents know would be cheating myself valuable life lessons that could enrich my life. It would be like swimming over an exotic reef without a snorkel and fins to capture the essence of aquatic life beneath the surface.
Learn what your parents know. Commit to grow by seeking to know. God has allowed your parents to live life years in advance of you so that you can benefit from their experience. You can honor your parents by learning what they know. Glean all you can from their faith journey. Your sincere faith always has room to grow.
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor