Honor
Honor your father and mother…
Exodus 20:12
The phone call was brief. Milt’s
father had called to thank him for taking him to his surgical
appointment the day before. Milt, his wife, and his mother, had spent
nine hours at the out-patient clinic while his father had undergone
removal of skin cancer from his face and ear. They removed small
amounts of tissue each time, sending his father back to the waiting
room after each procedure until they received the ‘All Clear’
from the lab’s microscope technician. In all, four procedures had
been needed.
Milt smiled as he thought about the
laughter and conversation that had taken place during those nine
hours. It had been the best time he’d spent with his parents in a
long time. “You’re welcome, Pop,” Milt said. “It was
fun…maybe not so much for you,” he joked, “but it was a
blessing for Nanc and me to share so much time with you and Mom.”
“I can’t remember laughing so
much!” Jack said. “And I’m so glad your Mother didn’t have to
sit alone all day.” Three more times Jack thanked Milt for his and
his wife’s thoughtfulness.
“I’m glad we could be there, Pop,”
Milt reiterated, touched by the sincerity in his father’s voice.
“In light of all you’ve done for me over the years, it’s the
least I could do.”
In truth, Milt had been more blessed
than his father. It really had been a wonderful day.
†
Honoring our parents is not a
suggestion; it is the greatest desire of God’s heart apart from our
salvation through the sacrifice of His Son.
Nine hours in an out-patient clinic may
not be our first choice for deepening relationships, but it
should never amaze us at how God shows up in the most unusual
places. Whenever we follow God’s commands, we are ripe to
experience His blessing.
By learning to sacrifice on behalf of
another, we find fulfillment and joy in the offering. There’s
something about sharing time with our parents that, no matter the
circumstances, causes God to breathe life into the relationship as we
honor them in love.
Prayer
“LORD, may
You and my parents find in me a love that honors the sacrifices made
on my behalf. Amen”
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