Tuesday; November 15

How can you make your momma and daddy proud? Often, when we talk about the relationship between a parent and a child these days, it seems like the conversation tends to focus on parents leaving a positive legacy for their children. As parents, we monitor our behavior so that we can leave a good name for our offspring. Now, while that is a legitimate and noble desire, there is another side to the idea of the parent/child relationship – one in which the child tries to please their parents. We tend to see this early in the lives of children – when they are doing what they can to please their parents and live up to their expectations. However, sometimes in the process of “maturing” this connection seems to be lost. Rather than seeking to be pleasing to parents, children tend to want to make their own decisions and their own mark. While this is a natural part of growing older – and separating from home – children should also seek to be pleasing to those who raised them. No, I don’t believe they should try to make every decision in a way to appease their parents, but they should live in a way that makes their parents proud of them – not in their accomplishments, but in their behavior. Wise King Solomon noted, “The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who sires a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her rejoice who gave birth to you.“ (Proverbs 23:24-25). Interestingly, while this should apply to adolescents, it is also appropriate for children of any age. We should never outgrow our desire to do what is right so that our parents will be pleased with the lives we live.

When we seek to please our Father in heaven there is a pretty good chance that we’ll be pleasing to our earthly parents as well. Let’s try our best to do our best. When we do, there will be smiles all around us.

Think About It!

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