The time to honor our parents is now. Not tomorrow, not when we feel like it, not when we have the ideal amount of time, the time is now. It will help us heal and move past any negative emotions we associate with our parents, it shows them we love them and quite simply, it is the right thing to do.
Honoring Our Parents Even When We Do Not Feel Like It
As grown-ups, there are many things we do every day that we do not feel like doing. It is part of what being an adult is about. Think about this…there are many times when our own parents did things they did not want to do.
Many of us feel hurt, misunderstood, and neglected by our parents. We need to move past all of that pain. We also need to remember that we are modeling behavior for our children. They will grow-up and treat us the way we treated our parents. In addition, when we cannot make time in our schedules for our parents, or treat them as if they do not have a place of honor in our lives by our actions or words, we are doing something very wrong. First Timothy 5:8 says:
If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever
That bible verse is referring to more than just helping financially, it is also referring to giving our time and emotional energy. It is time to honor our parents, even if we do not feel like it.
Honoring Our Parents Even If They Will Not Receive It
Do it anyway. You might be surprised at the response you get from your parents. However, even if there is not a response, keep honoring your parents. We are not honoring them for the “Thank you”, or to hear the words “I appreciate it”, we are honoring our parents because it is the right thing to do. We know it is the right thing to do because the Bible tells us that it is. It is time to honor our parents, even if we think they will not receive it.
Honoring Our Parents Even If They Have Been Abusive
Some of us may have been abused by our parents – emotionally, physically, and sexually. I know that thinking about honoring the person/people who did those horrible things to us seems wrong. However, there are some very good reasons why we should.
1. When we focus on the pain we perpetuate it.
2. When we focus on something good, it very often leads to healing and reconciliation.
3. Honoring on our parents does not mean exposing ourselves to further pain. We do it to be obedient to God and to help ourselves heal.
4. Bitterness and unforgiveness lose their hold on us when we honor our parents.
Honoring our parents is something we should do every day of the year, the time to start is now.