Exodus 20:12 KJV Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
I would like to touch on a subject many of us baby boomers have faced or will face sometime in our life --- aging parents. It is a very delicate subject for many of us I know, but as you can see it is also a subject God takes great interest in. In God's eyes He sees His commandment to honor thy father and thy mother just as serious as thou shat not kill or thou shalt not steal and it is the only commandment that comes with a blessing when obeyed. In light of the above statement I offer the following story:
Todd and Michelle were a thirty something couple who had one son Jimmy who was nine years old. They both had finished college and had good jobs in the city, a thirty minute ride from their suburban home. Todd's mother had passed away a month before and his father had Parkinson's disease and could not live alone so they took him into their home to care for him. He was a proud independent man who refused to be put in a nursing home. His mind was still working well but his body wasn't.
His hands trembled, his eyesight was failing and his steps faltered when he walked. Todd knew he was doing the right thing by taking care of his father and hoped his son Jimmy would be able to learn much from his grandfather. They would eat the evening meal together at the dining room table but this soon became a problem because the grandfather's shaky hands and failing eyesight would often cause quite a mess with food and silverware usually ending up on the floor, not to mention the spilled drink all over the table.
After a while Todd and Michelle decided they had had enough and moved the old gentleman to a small table in the corner where he would eat all alone. Since grandfather had broken several dishes his meal was served in a wooden bowl. They would occasionally glance in his direction and there they would see a tear streaming down his cheek but still the only words they would have for him was an admonition for him when he would drop the plastic spoon or fork they gave him to eat with.
Nine year old Jimmy would look on in silence as he watched how grandfather was treated.
Now nine year old Jimmy was a very good boy who always did his chores and homework. Because of this, every Saturday Todd would give Jimmy a five dollar weekly allowance. Jimmy was allowed to spend it on anything he wanted which usually consisted of a toy or candy. For several weeks Jimmy saved his money and did not buy anything at the store like usual.
When Michelle told Todd Jimmy was saving his money for something special it made Todd very curious. Finally his curiosity got the best of him and he just had to ask Jimmy what he was saving his money for. At dinner that night Todd asked Jimmy and his reply was anything but what they had expected.
Jimmy said "I'm saving my money to buy wooden bowls for you and mom for when I grow up and have to take care of you." Then with a smile he went back to eating his dinner.
Needless to say Todd and Michelle were speechless while they thought of the ramifications of what little Jimmy had said. Soon tears were streaming down their faces as they thought about what they had done to grandpa. No words had to be spoken; they both knew what had to be done. Grandpa was moved back to the family dinner table, and for some reason neither husband or wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled or the table cloth soiled.
A lot of the time we don't understand God's ways or reasons but in the scheme of life He gave us parents to take care of us when we needed them and He gives them us to take care of them when they need us.
Exodus 20:12 KJV Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they are gone. Show your love and honor your mother this mother's day.
1 Peter 4:8 KJV And above all things have fervent charity (love) among yourselves: for charity (love) shall cover the multitude of sins.
Again here we find the great wisdom that is God, for what we give in life is that which we will receive back in due time. 'What goes around comes around' is our modern day vernacular. We must always keep in mind this life is where God is testing and teaching us how to become sons and daughters. How are you doing?
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