Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
—Proverbs 1:8-9
This month we celebrate Parents’ Day. After celebrating Mother’s and Father’s Days, this month we honor our parents as a unit. We acknowledge that they raised us together and that they both helped us become who we are as adults. Parents’ Day also honors adoptive parents and parental figures such as grandparents, aunts, uncles and foster parents who have positively impacted millions of lives.
The Bible is clear on how we’re supposed to treat our parents; they deserve our respect and honor. “Honor your father and mother” is the fifth commandment, the first after four that tell us how to relate to God. As Paul points out, it’s the first commandment with a promise. Honoring our parents guarantees our lives will be longer because we’ll respect and use the wisdom they gave us.
What if your parent was absent or abusive? You can still find ways to honor him or her. The first is forgiveness; this is a long process and may require help from a counselor. Additionally, pray for absent or abusive parents. Ask God to draw
them toward Him and change their hearts. If it’s safe to do so, consider making efforts to rekindle a relationship. Seek guidance from the Lord and godly friends when doing this.
Make a special effort to reach out to your parents or parental figures. Call to thank them for what they’ve done for you, or write a letter or email. Invite them to dinner or a favorite activity. Ask what advice they’d give now that you’re an adult. Then use their advice just as you did as a child.
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