An Ornament of Grace

Posted by: Patience

"My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother; for they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, nad chains about thy neck."  (Proverbs 1:8-9)

 

"Honour thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." (Deuteronomy 5:16)

I was reading through the Bright Lights material for "Honoring Your Parents" and I came across some really good points about honor that I hadn't thought of before! Of course, I thought that I honored my parents in a general context (at least), but there are so many other areas I can bless them in. They do so much for me. What I learned from Bright Lights challenged my thinking. Given, we can never fully and perfectly honor our parents because of our sin nature, but we can continuously be excited about ways to honor them more! There is no end to changed attitudes, special kind words, joyous laughter, service, fervent prayer, and so much more! I have listed a bunch of needful, foundational items for a strong parent/child relationship, and also, I've listed*, many things we can do to make the beautiful parent/child relationship all the more a blessing...

• Purpose to have a strong relationship with your parents for your whole life
• Choose to be under their authority
• Thank them for their instruction and protection
• Don't keep secrets from them
• Always ask forgiveness if you wronged them
• Stay away from things that would dishonor your parents
• Talk positively about your parents in public
• Be easy to please (don't complain!)
• Look for little ways to honor them (ex. show gratefulness)
• Keep your eyes out for things that make your parents happy and carry those things out!
• Ask them for advice and counsel
• Ask them for ways to pray for them (and make a point to pray for them:))
• Have a cheerful attitude in their presence (hint: smile!)
• Be willing to help them when things are busy
• Honor them in public
• Compliment and praise your parents
• Write notes of encouragement
• Listen to them
• Lend in making their projects successful :)
• Treat them as you would a special guest
• Be proud of your parents (sit next to them in public, hold their hand, walk with them, etc.)
• Enjoy being with them
• Ask them about what you could do to make their day more special

Recently, ways I've had fun looking for little ways to make my mother's day easier. Today, it was organizing a linen closet, tomorrow, it might be volunteering to clean up a mess or be with a unoccupied brother. A lot of times, those little things are not immediately seen by her, but that gives reason to rejoice! "...and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly."
(Matthew 6:4-5) There is so much reason to be glad when one is doing things for the glory of God.

To honor my Dad, I've found that he really appreciates when I share my heart (ambitions, goals, struggles) with him and ask him what his vision/goals are. I have shared some very precious conversations with him on those topics. Thank you Daddy. :)

As a little side note, check out Deuteronomy 28. It is a passage that contrasts the obedient life with the disobedient life. Disobedience to parents is direct disobedience to God, which, after reading that passage, you will see is very, very serious!

If anyone can think of any other ideas on how to honor parents, drop a comment! I'd love to have your input!! 

 

"The light that shines the farthest must
shine the brightest at home."
- Sarah Mally

*Most of the ideas on the list are paraphrased from Bright Lights material