20:12 .. Exodus

“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12 NLT)

One of the more important commandments of God is to "Honor thy father and mother." It is lived out in three phases of the parent-child relationship:

1. When a child is growing up in the home, he is called to obey. Parents have to teach their children to obey, and children honor their parents through obedience.

2. The second phase begins when the children become young adults. They aren't as dependent on their parents and they are no longer called to obey, but to respect their parents. This is usually the longest phase.

3. The third phase of honoring parents is caring for them in their old age when they are no longer able to care for themselves. This is a tough transition when children become parents to their parents.

Obedience, respect, and care--the three stages of honoring Mom and Dad. The welfare of the family is dependent on us obeying God's command.

Phase 2, the middle phase, is usually the longest. It's that time when we become adult children and our parents can still meet their own needs. In this phase, we are called to respect our parents.

Respect doesn't mean obedience. Parents of adult children need to remember this, just as adult children need to remember it. Respect means seeking their input when appropriate, yet doing what God wants you to do, most of all. Respect means showing them love and spending time with them.

To the parents of adult children, are you helping or hindering the opportunity for respect? You may be pushing your adult child away. Remember, respect breeds respect.

The middle phase of honoring our parents is the longest. Let's make the most of it...both parent and child.

“Each of you must show great respect for your mother and father, and you must always observe my Sabbath days of rest. I am the LORD your God." (Leviticus 19:3 NLT)