Reflections4Life: Honoring Your Father

Reflections,  June 16, 2013

"Honoring Your Father"

"Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. Psalm 103:13 NASB

Scripture Reading For This Week: Genesis 2:24; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16-17; Malachi 1:5-7; Matthew 15:3-7; Ephesians 6:1-3…

I would like to take this moment to wish a Happy Father's Day to all the father's and father's to be. May your heart be filled with abundant joy. I pray that you will continue to look to the Father for all instructions, allowing Him to lead you; even in the most difficult of times.  God will never leave you, but will lift you up and be your strength.

I declare and decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. As you honor your father, you are honoring God. No matter what path your earthly father may have walked, when you honor him as your father, God will move upon your behalf.

I loved my father. I honored him no matter what he did or didn't do. He was my father. Yes; I was a Daddy's girl. And most people believe that it is much easier for a daughter to look past or forgive their father's transgressions than a son. Maybe for some. However, I have come to understand, that unless both daughter and son can honor their father—no matter the actions of his life—they do themselves a disservice when it comes to their own life's journey and choices made in relationships.

Not all people make great parents. Some just do not have the skills it takes to do what is necessary. Yet, this does not cancel out the fact that God says we must honor them. We must show them respect; if not for the mere fact that because of them, you are here in the land of the living. He gave to you life. Let's face it: without his contribution you would not be here. So for that reason alone, if you can't find any other reason, he deserves  that much respect.

Did you know that the commandment: Honor thy father and mother, is the first commandment with a promise?

Ephesians 6:2-3 "Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth."

So that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth…That's the promise. Here's the deal: God wants us to show honor and respect to our parents regardless to what they may have done or not have done. He is concerned with our heart and our future and His plans for our lives. You don't think God knows about the atrocities that some parents make? You don't think He sees the abandonment? The failures? The broken promises?  Yes. he sees all of that. Yet, the Father understands that if we walk around with un-forgiveness, bitterness, hatred, disrespect towards our parents—the very ones who gave us life—then we are blocking what He has ordained for our lives. We trap ourselves, and may very well become the very person we have dishonored all this time.

Regard them, consider them, respect them.  Do not let your heart be burdened down with dishonor that you miss out on what God has for you in your life.

I honor my father. He was far from perfect. He did things that were not acceptable. But I loved him, honored him, and considered his life, as well. If it had not been for him, I would not be here. If it had not been for him, I would not be an author. He was the first person who told me I could. When he passed, I was only sixteen. I thank God for the Uncles I have who stood in the gap and nourished my broken heart. They are fathers, as well, who have made mistakes and were not perfect. But I honor them, just as their children do.

Honoring your father is not for his benefit; it is for yours. God knows exactly how to reach a parent who is not behaving accordingly. To honor them, in spite of, is a testament to your heart and where God wants to take you. When it comes down to it; to honor, respect, regard or consider them, has to do with where you want your life to go, and how long you desire it to be.

There are many fathers who are not being honored or respected for who they are. They have worked hard to provide, and to be the best father they could be; even when they had no example themselves of a good father. They make mistakes along the way, but they are not giving up. They are striving to do that which is right so that their children will benefit and receive what they never received growing up.

I take this time to honor every father. Whether you are considered the greatest of fathers, or the worst of fathers, I honor you today. I give God praise for you. For those who are not doing so well as a father, I consider you and all you may have gone through, and pray that the Lord will get a hold of you and direct your path; bring healing to your wounds, and forgiveness to your life so that you may truly begin to experience the joy and abundance of fatherhood. To every father that are doing all they can as a father; I honor you, and pray that your heart is continually filled with joy, and that your example of fatherhood and leadership will be passed on to your children, and that your children will honor you all the days of your life.

I decree that the spirit of peace and of prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives: spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, and financially. Honor your father. Whether he is the greatest or hasn't done all that well; still give honor to him as your father. For, God is looking at your heart, and it will determine how your days are upon this earth. Make peace so that your manifestations of blessings are not held up. You are Blessed. Now go…and Be a Blessing!

©2013. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.