Reader: Honor thy parents, whether good or bad

To the editor:

One of the most important commandments that God gave us was to honor our parents. This command is found in Exodus 20:12, which reads: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” What is unique about this admonition is that a significant promise is attached to it. If we do honor our parents, God in turn would grant us a long life here upon the Earth.

Notice that God did not tell us to honor only the parents who we believe are worthy. He made no distinction between a “good” parent and one that some would consider to be a “bad” parent. We are to honor every one of them.

When my wife Linda and I were planning to get married, she was very much against her dad walking her down the aisle. He had been in prison for most of her childhood and after he got out, he would show up places either high or drunk. She wasn’t about to let him ruin her day. However, she prayed about it and then read God’s admonition about us honoring our parents. She swallowed her pride, obeyed God’s word and honored him. And he was the perfect gentleman.

Because of her decision, he showed up one day unexpectedly at our doorstep needing a place to stay. We welcomed him in and then brought him to church where he gave his life to the Lord. This never would have happened if we weren’t obedient to God’s word.

Honoring her dad brought much healing into both her life and his. God’s ways are higher than ours. If we will do what his word says, he in turn will heal us from any hurts from the past and bless our lives in the future. So let’s be sure to honor all of our parents, both the “good” and the “bad.”

Pastor Bob Arnold

Mount Vernon