Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.Proverbs 23:22 (ESV)
Honour your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.Deuteronomy 5:16 (ESV)
I have always respected my father. In my younger days, I strived hard in studies and worked to earn his praise. He never actually told me he was proud of me. But one time his good friend told me, "Your old man is really proud of you, you know. He eeps boasting to us about how good a job you're doing in his company!" I was happy for days.
On the other hand, my relationship with my mother has always been difficult. She somehow has the ability to say things that would make me really angry. I do try hard to not argue back; sometimes I fail. As she grows in age, her tongue of criticism is also sharper! But even when I find it difficult to honor my mother, I discover that God's grace is always sufficient. He grants me the patience & His strength to show respect and honour to my mother.
Lord, you know we want to do your will. We love our parents and truly want to honour them. Please help us to do so, and help us to have a better relationship with them. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Richard Yong
