Today we are going to look at the world in Front of the text of the Fifth Commandment, as found in Exodus 20: 8-11: 8

Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

I think as I mentioned yesterday, that this is one of the commandments that is so easy to keep and understand as children, but become more complicated as we grow. But I find that it actually becomes a sweeter commandment as we grow.  When I was younger I obeyed my parents.  I did what they said. They were the authority in my life. They were in charge, so I did what they said or I tried my best to get away with what I could get away with.

But now in my life, my parents have no real “authority” over my life. They don’t set my bedtime. They don’t punish me.  They don’t tell me what I can and can’t do. But today, probably more now than when I was younger, I value them. I value their input, I value their opinion, I value their thoughts.  I am thankful beyond words for them and even though they did not give me life in the same way as biological parents, they gave me life in that they raised me, they taught me, they showed me what life and faith should look that.  I honor them. I respect them.  I love them.

That doesn’t mean that we always agree.  It also doesn’t mean that I always take their advice.  It doesn’t mean that they have control over my life.  It does mean that they have a special place of honor and respect in my life. It does mean that their perspective is valued above almost every other.  It means that just as I am thankful to God for my life, I am thankful to them for my life. And they deserve my respect at this, and every, point of my life.

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