Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Ephesians 6:1-3
Did you know that ‘father and mother’ in that context would
have meant people who are older than you as well as your parents? I didn’t until a couple of weeks ago.
I was alarmed this past week because I had a hard time
interacting with a dear friend of mine who is triple my age. I’ve built a life surrounded by people who
are just like me so much that I’m starting to forget how to converse well with
older people.
But the Bible calls us to honor them. I’m prone to avoid them. I don’t like the feeling of being perceived
as childish, and without the Lord’s help, I am normally asleep to opportunities
to bless them. There are so many more
landmines in life than I give account for.
How foolish of me to think that I don’t need their help navigating this
life.
The Lord has set up a system where He blesses older people
through younger people honoring them and He passes wisdom to the younger people
through older people’s experiences. That
is His beautiful design.
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