Honor your Father And your Mother

Many people are important in making us who and what we are. None are so important, however, as father and mother.

In infancy Mother fed me, changed me and bathed me so that I was comfortable. Mother set protective barriers around me to keep me from harm. She taught me to avoid the hot stove, to fear harmful things, and she bundled me up against the winter's cold. Mother taught me many things while I was a tiny infant and toddler. Mother created a strong bond which endured between us until the day of her death.

But as I grew into childhood, my father taught me to do things through play and practice. Father taught me many principles which he had learned by experience in "the school of hard knocks." Father taught me discipline and confidence, to take calculated risks and accept the consequences when failures demanded a price be paid.

My father taught me that firearms were dangerous. He taught me to always consider a firearm loaded, never point a firearm at another person even in play. He taught me, upon taking a firearm in my hands, to turn away from other people and examine the chamber and magazine for cartridges or shells.

As most young men, I was "idealistic." My father taught me to evaluate people and accept them for what they are, not what they appear to be. I remember the day and place when he said to me, "Son, things are not always what they appear to be. All that glitters is not gold. I tell you this so that you will not be hurt by trusting too much in people." My father understood the principle written in Psalms 146:3; "Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help."

My father was warning me that I trusted in men too much. He was right.

What my mother and my father both taught me in principles and in fact has greatly aided me through life. I have avoided many pitfalls and enjoyed many benefits because of what my mother and father taught me the first eighteen years. Though they have been gone for thirty-four years, their devotion and training remain with me today.

Even more—their teaching combined with the teaching of my wife's parents, has been passed on to our five children and is now being passed on to our grandchildren. Truly, as the Proverb says, (Proverbs 13:22 "A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children...." The greatest treasure is Character. Character is developed by training and discipline. There is no substitute for attention to teaching, training, discipline given in love!

Many other people have enriched my life, but nobody comes close to my mother and dad. I sure wish I could tell them today how much I love them and appreciate their gift of love toward me.

How about you?

I'm Carl McNair with commentary for Living Church of God.