I was fortunate enough to be raised in a loving home with both my mom and my dad. It’s not difficult to find ways to honor and respect them today because they were good to us. I know not everyone can say this about their parents. When asked how one honors a mother or father they don’t respect, I had to sit and really think about this one.
Commandment number five of the Ten Commandments given by God states in Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother…”
In Ephesians 6:2 furthers the point, “’Honor your father and mother.’ Which is the first commandment with a promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.’”
I don’t believe honoring is enabling someone in unhealthy decisions. I believe you can honor a parent without condoning the past or current behaviors. When we look back at the story in Genesis 9:20-27, we learn that Noah became drunk after drinking wine from his vineyard and lay exposed in his tent. He had three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth. Ham saw his father and went to his brothers. Rather than Shem and Japheth mocking their father for his nakedness, they respectfully covered him and did not look at Noah’s nudeness.
One thing my parents did right was set an example for us as to how we should treat our mother and father. My brothers and I have seen how my parents have dealt with and talked about my grandparents with honor and respect—even when they don’t agree with them. It seems more so today than ever, many children have lost respect for their parents. I know people who’ve been abandon by a parent or been abused. No one is suggesting that you should forget everything that’s happened to you. It is possible to forgive through Christ. For those reading this that have younger kids, consider how you would like your children to treat you as you grow older. Your actions toward your own parents and others are a bigger example than you might realize.
Please check out my other Christian parenting blogs from this series:
Getting into Your Kid’s Business
Teaching Our Children Self-Respect
Scripture referenced is quoted from the NKJV.