Honor your father and your mother, as God has commanded you... Deuteronomy 5:16
My elderly dad, aged 76, had a wee spill from his pushbike on Saturday.
That sentence doesn't really do the situation justice. Dad is not only elderly, he's also fiercely independent, given over to 'setting the world to rights' [ and that's being delicate about it!! ] and his pushbike is actually a custom built racing bicycle. Dad only gave up competitive racing two years ago!!
It seems he had a black out whilst riding a quiet country road, doing a couple of somersaults as he came to rest at the side of the road. Concussed but shaken, he was taken to the local hospital and kept in overnight for observation, released home on Sunday lunchtime to the care of my mum.
So I've been engaged in active care for a change. Parental independence has meant I was often the last to know that there had been any problem. Now I reckon Dad is prepared to let me help out rather more. I hope so because relationship can only work when we give access to those with whom we wish to relate.
It's not been easy for Dad and I over the years, two competitive people trying to hold very differing opinions. It seems now we can move to a deeper level rather than the detached joshing round which characterises most masculine conversations, never mind the ones I had with my dad.
All this has really brought home to me the fuller implications of honouring my father and mother in accordance with the Lord's plan for my life. Honouring isn't just about respect, it's also about tenderness and ministry, care and maintenance, need and response.
Loving parents isn't always easy. As a parent I know how much of a frustration I can be to my own girls, my parents are no different. But real, selfless love transcends difficulty and discomfort because we reckon that the recipients are worth it.
However - honouring it seems is a whole new ball game.
Or is it another aspect of real love?
I'm not too sure why I'm posting this. I do know that when I got the phone call about Dad in Accident & Emergency and I considered the worst case scenario, I realised that it might have been rather too late for honour.
Better late than never. I write this after spending some quality time today with my parents, helping them bring their routine back to order. I feel good not just because it's a rush to help out and be appreciated, but because the Lord says that when we do things His way, we'll be more fulfilled.
Deu 5:16 Honor your father and your mother, as Jehovah your God has commanded you, so that your days may be made longer, and that it may go well with you in the land which Jehovah your God gives you.
That sentence doesn't really do the situation justice. Dad is not only elderly, he's also fiercely independent, given over to 'setting the world to rights' [ and that's being delicate about it!! ] and his pushbike is actually a custom built racing bicycle. Dad only gave up competitive racing two years ago!!
It seems he had a black out whilst riding a quiet country road, doing a couple of somersaults as he came to rest at the side of the road. Concussed but shaken, he was taken to the local hospital and kept in overnight for observation, released home on Sunday lunchtime to the care of my mum.
So I've been engaged in active care for a change. Parental independence has meant I was often the last to know that there had been any problem. Now I reckon Dad is prepared to let me help out rather more. I hope so because relationship can only work when we give access to those with whom we wish to relate.
It's not been easy for Dad and I over the years, two competitive people trying to hold very differing opinions. It seems now we can move to a deeper level rather than the detached joshing round which characterises most masculine conversations, never mind the ones I had with my dad.
All this has really brought home to me the fuller implications of honouring my father and mother in accordance with the Lord's plan for my life. Honouring isn't just about respect, it's also about tenderness and ministry, care and maintenance, need and response.
Loving parents isn't always easy. As a parent I know how much of a frustration I can be to my own girls, my parents are no different. But real, selfless love transcends difficulty and discomfort because we reckon that the recipients are worth it.
However - honouring it seems is a whole new ball game.
Or is it another aspect of real love?
I'm not too sure why I'm posting this. I do know that when I got the phone call about Dad in Accident & Emergency and I considered the worst case scenario, I realised that it might have been rather too late for honour.
Better late than never. I write this after spending some quality time today with my parents, helping them bring their routine back to order. I feel good not just because it's a rush to help out and be appreciated, but because the Lord says that when we do things His way, we'll be more fulfilled.
Deu 5:16 Honor your father and your mother, as Jehovah your God has commanded you, so that your days may be made longer, and that it may go well with you in the land which Jehovah your God gives you.
posted by It's Dave at Monday, October 02, 2006
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home