»Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God» (Leviticus 19:3).
The fourth and fifth commandments are mentioned here in the same text, which underlines the fact that they are the only commandments written in a positive way. Both inculcate reverence and respect for authority.
Growing up in my family as a child, I learned the difference between being afraid and being respectful. I was so scared of my father that I tried to guess his orders before he finished giving them. On the other hand, I felt such devotion, respect, and admiration for my mother that I wanted to be like her. I did not want to disappoint or displease her. I enjoyed her company and the lessons of life she shared with me. I obeyed both of my parents, but for different reasons: I obeyed my father out of fear, but my mother out of love and respect.
Fear understood as respect toward our parents is mentioned several times in the Bible and is even included in the Ten Commandments. Several benefits are promised to us for respecting our parents. Such respect lengthens our life, and unless we learn to love and respect our parents it will be difficult for us to love and respect God. Our concept of God and our relationship with Him are influenced by the quality of our relationship with our parents. If your father or your mother were emotionally distant, you might conceive of God as a distant being, indifferent to your needs. On the other hand, if you had a father or a mother who was compassionate, forgiving, understanding, affectionate, concerned with your wellbeing, that is the way you will perceive God to be.
Furthermore, your relationship with your parents and other significant adults in your life will have an impact on how well you interact with your own husband. It might be difficult for you to establish a relationship of love, trust, and respect with your spouse if your parents didn’t have that type of relationship. It may take time for you to see this connection, but therapy involving forgiveness and understanding toward your parents will help you understand God’s merciful character and allow your relationship with your husband to deepen and grow.
Ask God to show you what is impeding you from obeying the fifth commandment, or what will help you improve your relationship with your parents. Write a list of the creative, practical ways that you can honor your parents or the people who represent them. Honor them, and you will see the fulfillment of the promise of longevity, health, and emotional well-being.
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Taken from: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2023
“DAUGHTER OF MINE” Do Not Be Afraid
From: Arsenia Fernandez-Uckele
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
