Honor Your Father and Mother

Why Does the Bible Say, "Honor Your Father and Mother"?
By Carey Kinsolving

"Insanity is hereditary. You get it from your kids," read a sign in Brussels, Belgium.

Or, as author Jean Kerr wrote, "The real menace in dealing with a 5-year-old is that in no time at all you begin to sound like one."

The fifth commandment is designed to keep parents sane by giving children a principle to guide their behavior and attitudes toward their parents. I asked my friends to tell me how they honor their parents. If their behavior matches their answers, their parents are not only sane but very happy.

"I honor my parents by giving them hugs and kisses. I also honor them by buying them TCBY treats," says Angela, age 10.

Frozen yogurt with hugs and kisses! If TCBY could package this combination, I'm sure its stock would soar.

"I obey my mother and father by getting up in the mornings as sweet as pie," says Kaitlin, 7.

I'm still working on this one. When I get up in the morning, I'm grateful if I don't hurt myself by tripping over the furniture.

Kaitlin also told me, "When the Bible says your days will be longer (if you honor your father and mother), it means you will live longer."

In a society obsessed with living longer through exercise and nutrition, how many doctors and health-food companies recommend honoring parents? Yet a long life is a promise from God for those who honor their parents.