Last week I began talking about a book called The Blessing by Gary Smalley and John Trent. In reading and rereading passages over the past year, I’ve realized how Mom and Dad gave me the blessing all of my life and what an incredible impact it made on me. To read part one from last week, click here.
In Ephesians 6:2-3, Paul says, “Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise: that it may be well with you, and you may live long upon the earth.” In one of the final chapters of their book, Smalley and Trent discuss the original Greek meaning of Paul’s words as well as passages in Leviticus and Matthew with similar admonitions.
Because of their blessings on my life, I have found this season with Mom and Dad to be an easy reciprocation. They invested so much into me emotionally, physically, and financially. Even as I write those words, I see the commonality: they are my ally. See it? They never put themselves at odds with me even when I tried to move away from them.
I know many adult children who are not allies with their parents and many parents who are not allies with their children. Hopefully for all of them, it is only a season of discord and resolution will soon come. As we all continue to live longer, caregiving issues will face each home in some way. We are so blessed – there’s that word again – to be able to care for Mom at home and I am grateful to be a part of it.
Just as Mom and Dad Have been blessing my life for all my life, I have an opportunity now to bless them. Admittedly, it’s much easier to share some of these blessings with Mom and with Dad, or vice versa, but I have been more intentional in the last few months to do the five elements of The Blessing each time I am with them.
Although Mom doesn’t always respond, I purposely reach for her in meaningful touch. I speak my words of love and care and express what she means to me. I have chosen an active commitment to her for the rest of her days and will honor her for the rest of my days. I speak to her of the special future waiting for her in heaven.
Honoring her now is easy. In my younger years, the “children obey your parents” admonition in Ephesians 6:1 was NOT easy. I have often wondered how Mom and Dad had enough patience with me. I’m certain I pushed them to their limits time and time again. I’m grateful Paul didn’t say that “Children obey your parents” was the first commandment with a promise. I would have never fulfilled that part. I see now that honor and obey go together, but I freely admit that honoring them now is simple compared to obeying them then!
As we approach the holiday season, I wonder how I can expand the blessing. Smalley and Trent say that my responsibility extends beyond my parents to children, spouse, and friends. It’s early for resolutions, but I am resolved to finish 2017 by passing along the blessing.
