By Josie Siler
I was a pretty good kid growing up. I didn’t get in trouble very often, partially because I found a way to get my brother blamed for things! Oh, I would do naughty things, but I had an overactive conscience so when my parents gave me “the look” or told me they were disappointed in something I had done I would immediately get mouse tracks quickly followed by the sup-sups. For those of you unfamiliar with these terms, mouse tracks are little dots that form on your chin when you’re trying not to cry. Sup-sups are an unattractive attempt to not cry by gasping for air while tears leak out of your eyes!
I could have escaped both mouse tracks and the sup-sups if I had only obeyed my parents as the Bible instructs. The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:1-3, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.’ ”
I was a pretty good kid growing up. I didn’t get in trouble very often, partially because I found a way to get my brother blamed for things! Oh, I would do naughty things, but I had an overactive conscience so when my parents gave me “the look” or told me they were disappointed in something I had done I would immediately get mouse tracks quickly followed by the sup-sups. For those of you unfamiliar with these terms, mouse tracks are little dots that form on your chin when you’re trying not to cry. Sup-sups are an unattractive attempt to not cry by gasping for air while tears leak out of your eyes!
I could have escaped both mouse tracks and the sup-sups if I had only obeyed my parents as the Bible instructs. The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:1-3, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.’ ”
Those of us who suffer with chronic illness often rely on the support of our parents and other family. As we get older, the relationship with our parents changes. Paul writes, “Children, obey your parents,” but that’s not the whole story. If you are over 18, you’re not a child anymore. Do you still need to obey your parents? My answer to this is no. That being said, your parents have more life experience than you do and the wisdom that comes along with it. We do need to “Honor [our] father and mother” and respect them and their opinions.
When you throw chronic illness into a relationship, especially the parent/child relationship, things can get tricky. Our parents want the very best for us, and it is really hard for them to see us sick. They want to do anything and everything they can to help us get better. They will ask us if we have tried (insert new-fangled diet, supplement, exercise, etc… here) more times than we can count. I know this may be frustrating at times, but remember they do it because they love you and don’t want to see you suffer. We need to honor them by seriously considering what they are saying or suggesting.
If you’re a parent of a chronically ill child know that we love you so much and we are incredibly thankful for all you have done and continue to do for us. We are sorry for the times our illness and pain have been taken out on you because we know you’ll love us no matter what we say or do. I want to encourage you to take time for yourself and your relationship with your spouse. It’s easy to get burned out as the caretaker and your health is important too!
There’s a special command for fathers. In fact, I’ve made this verse into a card for my dad for Father’s Day. (Yes, I did think I was funny!) Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” I think that’s pretty self-explanatory, no matter the age of your “child.”
Relationships between parents and children can be summed up the same as relationships between husbands and wives. We need to love and respect each other. We need to value each other’s opinions, get space when we need it, be gracious toward one another, and point each other to Jesus. The parent/child relationship, like all other relationships needs to be viewed in the light of the cross of Christ. He is our ultimate example as He obeyed His Father, even to the point of death, and it was all to save our souls.
So next time you see your parents, or your kids, give them a great big hug and tell them how grateful you are for them!
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” ~Philippians 2:3-8
© May 14, 2013
When you throw chronic illness into a relationship, especially the parent/child relationship, things can get tricky. Our parents want the very best for us, and it is really hard for them to see us sick. They want to do anything and everything they can to help us get better. They will ask us if we have tried (insert new-fangled diet, supplement, exercise, etc… here) more times than we can count. I know this may be frustrating at times, but remember they do it because they love you and don’t want to see you suffer. We need to honor them by seriously considering what they are saying or suggesting.
If you’re a parent of a chronically ill child know that we love you so much and we are incredibly thankful for all you have done and continue to do for us. We are sorry for the times our illness and pain have been taken out on you because we know you’ll love us no matter what we say or do. I want to encourage you to take time for yourself and your relationship with your spouse. It’s easy to get burned out as the caretaker and your health is important too!
There’s a special command for fathers. In fact, I’ve made this verse into a card for my dad for Father’s Day. (Yes, I did think I was funny!) Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” I think that’s pretty self-explanatory, no matter the age of your “child.”
Relationships between parents and children can be summed up the same as relationships between husbands and wives. We need to love and respect each other. We need to value each other’s opinions, get space when we need it, be gracious toward one another, and point each other to Jesus. The parent/child relationship, like all other relationships needs to be viewed in the light of the cross of Christ. He is our ultimate example as He obeyed His Father, even to the point of death, and it was all to save our souls.
So next time you see your parents, or your kids, give them a great big hug and tell them how grateful you are for them!
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” ~Philippians 2:3-8
© May 14, 2013
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