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I am not sure about the rest of the world, but last Sunday here in the USA we celebrated Mothers Day. I hope and pray all you Mom's had a wonderful and blessed Mothers Day. Also, here in the USA, next in June we celebrate Fathers Day. I am thankful to God everyday that God has allowed my mother to live as long as He has. She is a woman in her 90's. I am also thankful to God that she loves the Lord and raised me to know God. Unfortunately, I went the way of the world for many years. But the Godly upbringing she gave me had a great influence on my life. I might not have ever came to the Lord if it were not for her. As for my Father, he passed away 20 years ago. While he did not follow the Lord for most of his life, he did get saved before he passed away. This too, I am thankful for.
I was so blessed this year that my wife and I were able to go spend some precious time with my mom. It was a time to be cherished. She lives about a half days journey away from where we live. We try to get up to see her every couple or three months, as it is such a blessing to her, and us.
When we look at the 10 commandments, it is interesting to note that the first four relate to our relationship with God. Then, the next six concern our relationship with other people. I have always found it interesting that God choose to list "Honor your Father and Mother" above "Thou shall not kill." If I were to write it, I would think "thou shall not kill" would come first. After all, is not murder the worst thing a person might do to another human being? But, I believe God had a good reason. First of all, how is it that we can honor God, if we do not honor our parents? Also, how is it that we may honor our neighbor if we will not honor our parents?
The first commandment with promise:
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12 NKJV)
Such a timely message - both because of Mother's Day recently, and because I am entering a new *season* in my life where I am having to provide more care for my parents. About a month ago, my pastor gave a message on this commandment. He pointed out that the Greek word for honor in this verse means "to make heavy." I thought that was very interesting - we are to make our parents have weight and importance in our lives.
ReplyDeleteThis I am trying to do, with God's strength.
GOD BLESS!
(Interesting, Ken - my mom was also the one who led me to the Lord)
Sharon, How awesome it is that our mothers had such in influence in our lives. I love what you say about honor means "to make heavy...we are to make our parents have weight and importance in our lives." God, our parents, our spouses and children are the most important people in each of our lives. We should always keep that front in our hearts and minds. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and may God bless you.
ReplyDeleteHi Ken,
ReplyDeleteMother's day here in the UK was back a while, but I lost my mum over thirty years ago. She was lovely, and brought up four of us alone after my father died when I was aged eleven. Our mothers, and fathers too, are truly precious and we don't realize just how much until they go out of our lives. God bless you.
Brenda, I dread the day when I no longer have living parents. My father is already gone. And at my mothers age, she is in her final chapter. Death is always hard. I have lost both my first wife and my father, but God is always good. When my first wife died, it sure did bring into perspective what is truly important. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and may God bless you
DeleteHi Ken,
ReplyDeleteTrain up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Prov. 22:6
My friend and I have often chuckled at this scripture...although different translations have different wording...most say it this way...When he is old...he will not depart from it...Some kids take longer to come back to the way (s)he should go...I am so glad you and your wife are cherishing your precious mama...it is hard to lose them, no matter the age...But we rejoice when we know they are truly with the Lord, not missing us at all ;)
~God bless~
Never Forsaken, Thank you for the scripture you shared. I am so thankful that I came back to the Lord. You are so right, losing our parents is hard, no matter at what age. It is always too soon. I sure do look forward to the day when there is no more death. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and may God bless you
DeleteWhat a wonderful way to spend Mother's Day! I am sure it made the day for your mom.
ReplyDeleteWe were with my husbands parents for Mother's Day. It was special because it has been over 20 years since my husband was able to be with his mom on this day.
Blessings brother,
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Child of God, How awesome it it that your and your husband got to spend Mothers Day with your husband's mother. Praise God for giving the opportunity. Thank you for sharing and may God bless
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing both my parents were in my life; it was certainly a challenge for them at times-ha! I have always hoped and prayed that I was (and still am!) as much of a blessing to my beautiful daughters as my parents were to me. They instilled wonderful values and love in my life, and I thank God for them often!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and timely post my good friend!
Blessings!
Denise
Denise, How wonderful it is that your parents instilled such wonderful values in your life, and then you pass it on to your children. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and may God bless you, my dear friend
DeleteBoth of my parents and my husbands parents have been gone for a long time. The relationships were not the best but we were all ways kind to them.. I finally was able to forgive what my parents could not give me....
ReplyDeleteDee, I am glad you were able to forgive your parents. Thank you for sharing and may God bless you
DeleteKen, appreciate your sharing your heart. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteJBR, Thank you and I appreciate you stopping by and leaving your comment. May God bless you
DeleteI wish I had listened to my Mom and Dad's advice more often after I was "grown up". I appreciate all they did for me even more now that they are gone.
ReplyDeleteKaren, I too wish I listened more to what my parents told me. Thank you for sharing and may God bless you
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