“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”
(Exodus 20:12 KJV)
Ben hadn’t been home in years. The city had swallowed him whole with its noise, its speed, and its ambition. He barely remembered the last time he called his parents, maybe a rushed Christmas greeting, maybe not even that. Life moved fast, and in his mind, Mom and Dad were fine back on the farm. After all, they had each other… right?
But one morning, an unexpected call came. His mother had fallen. It wasn’t life-threatening, but it was serious enough to put her in bed and get his attention. Guilt bubbled up beneath the surface of his pride. He booked a flight that night.
When he walked into the old farmhouse, nothing had changed. The same creaky screen door, the smell of homemade bread and mothballs, the family Bible on the end table. But one thing had changed - his father. The strong man who once split wood with a single swing now hunched over and shuffled slowly, carefully. And the old rocking chair by the window, once his mother’s favorite spot, now sat empty as she was bedridden from the fall.
Ben sat down beside his father and didn’t say much at first. Silence hung heavy but not uncomfortable. As the old Regulator clock on the mantle ticked away, finally, his father spoke.
“You’ve been away a long time, son.”
“I know, Dad. I thought I had plenty of time.”
His father looked out the window across the pasture, then back at Ben. “We always think we do, son.”
That week, Ben stayed. He helped his dad with chores, brought his mother meals, listened to stories he’d heard before, and some he hadn’t. He realized something profound in the simplicity of their lives: this was where honor lived. Not just in obeying, but in showing up. In being present. In valuing those who gave him life.
Reflection:
Honoring our father and mother isn’t a childhood command. It’s a lifelong calling. It means more than obedience; it means respect, care, and gratitude, especially as they age. The promise in this commandment is unique: long life in the land God gives. God connects the way we treat our parents with His blessings over our lives.
Maybe your parents weren’t perfect. Maybe your relationship is strained. But God still calls us to honor them. Sometimes, that starts with forgiveness. Other times, it simply means a phone call, a visit, or a kind word.
Prayer:
"Father, help me to honor my parents the way You’ve called me to. Where there is hurt, bring healing. Where there is distance, bring closeness. Remind me that in caring for them, I’m obeying You. And in obeying You, I find Your blessing. In Jesus’ name, Amen."
Challenge:
This week, take a step toward honoring your parents. If they’re living, call them or visit. If they’ve passed, honor their memory with gratitude. If you’re a parent, model the kind of honor you hope to receive - rooted in love, humility, and faithfulness.
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