Honour

““Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.””

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This chapter in Ephesians deals with relationships between children and parents and slaves and masters. It finishes on a different topic; the full armour of God.

Paul was an unmarried man who had no natural children. It is obvious that he had parents but they are never mentioned. It is also obvious that he had good role models. Paul exudes respect. He knows the scripture and teaches it with authority.

I honour my dead mum and dad, God has helped here. My dad was a Catholic man who managed to father 6 children. The financial burden this created caused him angst and made him fractious. Yet, when I remember him I praise God for his steadfast love for my mother and his loyalty in his work environment, to his own mother and father and to his friends. It is good to be grateful and not be offended because of some selfish reason. However, having a dad that abuses you would be way more difficult, although Joyce Meyer is a living testament to the fact that you can overcome abuse. She did so, and was able to care for her mum and dad in a nursing home in their latter years.

Gratitude makes all the difference. So does forgiveness. My mum lived into her late 80s, I enjoyed caring for her in my home. My dad died just before his 70th birthday from cancer.

God has a plan for us, if it is to live long, then do it right! Amen!