The Parent Bond

For Monday, July 30, 2007
Proverbs 23:22-25

22 Listen to your father who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23 Buy truth, and do not sell it;
buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;
he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.
25 Let your father and mother be glad;
let her who bore you rejoice.

What is the special bond of parent to child? The bestowing of life. The proverb begins and ends with this observation. Is there any greater, more significant act than to bring another life into the world? Is there any other human bond that is more sacred than that of parent-child, as a result?

What do parents want for their children? Certainly they desire success and happiness, but more so, they want their children to have noble traits, which begins with wisdom and the desire to be instructed. With such, he will acquire what he needs for life, but more to the point, he will become a person of worthy character. For parents understand that they cannot control the future of their children. They cannot guarantee good things will happen. And so their hope to instill good values that will equip their children to handle the circumstances of life and to be worthy people.

So you want to honor your parents? Then buy truth and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. But that is not what your parents want? Then do not forget your heavenly Father. This is what he wants, for true wisdom and knowledge come from him and glorify him. And he, after all, is the true giver of life - physically and spiritually. May he rejoice in the wisdom you learn and impart today.