The Honorable Heart

Exodus 20:12
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

Ephesians 6:1–4
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother.

The most important book in the world is the Bible, and according to the Wall Street Journal "Bible sales are up 22% in the US through the end of October..." The article states that among the reasons for this spike is rising anxiety and a search for hope. God is so good, and it is true that peace and hope can be found in reading the Bible. It is also true that God does not promise following Him will be easy.

I walked into church one evening and bumped into an acquaintance. We greeted each other and stopped to chat. Naturally our conversation gravitated to our plans for Christmas. I told her we would be staying in town, and she talked about traveling home to see her parents. Her father has dementia and her mother is not well. Her eyes teared up as she recounted the weekends passed that she flew out just to help around the house and review the plans for her parents final days. It occurred to me that she was in the church to pray and not to engage in any events. The love she expressed so completely with such few words left me speechless. What a struggle to face at such a joyful time, and what a witness to God's grace to be able to honor her father and mother as they slowly lose their abilities to help themselves.

Yes, we can cling to God's promises and find hope. We can also ask him to give us strength when honoring him requires us to struggle. Knowing he will provide what we need will help us through.

Prayer
Lord, many elderly people are suffering with loneliness, and we do not know their family circumstances. If there is someone I can help, allow me the resources and strength to give them the gift of time through a phone call or visit. Grant me the grace that I may honor you in that way.