What would a motherhood blog be without a post titled “Honor Your Father and Mother”? You may be thinking, “yes, honor me child!” but this is actually directed at you sister (insert awkward face emoji here). If you haven’t gathered the theme of “lead by example” yet in the biblical perspective of parenting, let me make it real clear here and now. We teach our children more with our actions than our words. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit (Matthew 7:20) so you can identify people by their actions (John 15:8). This is the very arena where we prove we belong to Christ, by how we act and react in situations. I’m talking everyday situations. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). What better way to show love than by honoring our Heavenly Father even in the everyday small moments?
If we are telling our children to be respectful to us but we are arguing with our own mother when she comes to visit, what message is that sending to our children? A message of hypocrisy? A message that they can grow out of having to show respect? If we are expecting obedience from our children but we don’t obey when our Heavenly Father asks us to go, do, or be something, then how can we expect our children to go, do, or be something themselves?
We honor God when we treat others with love. We show our children how to honor God, and us as their parents, by how we honor God ourselves. “Honor the Lord your God, worship Him only, and make your promises in His name alone” (Deuteronomy 6:13).
How can we honor God? First and foremost, with our faith. “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). We honor Him with our obedience. “I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments” (Psalm 119:60). We honor Him by working for Him. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23). We honor Him with our thoughts. “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy” (1 Peter 3:15a). We honor God everyday by believing in Him and showing others we believe in Him through love.
Bible Verse: “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18).
Something to think about: Do your actions reflect your heart? How can you demonstrate to your children today that you honor God?
Prayer: Father God, help me to remember that my actions teach my children more than my words do
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