Sunday, July 12, 2009 @8:57 PM
What does it look like to honor our parents?I used to think that I was pretty alright in honoring my parents. I mean after such a long time of
mess, God truly brought about a changed relationship with my mum and dad. I felt I could esteem, care and love them more than before.
Today, i ponder again after going through some horrible nights. I still ponder deeply, still shiver alittle bit after thinking about it.
1) How do you not go into a stage of
INDIFFERENCE with your parents?
If you stay with your parents all these while, you will reach to a point of indifference. It means, you get on with your life then, they with theirs. You don't really bother about their life. Sometimes, its even nice to NOT have them around. Is that really honoring them as what the Lord has commanded? You don't even bother their existence until something major happens. Because i don't stay with my parents for a long time, i know about this
"indifference". But now, I had a worser issue. I am scared when my dad comes back.
2) How do you not
ARGUE with them?
We all know that we are not always right..and our parents too. And, we will always try to insist our points. It can be irritating to have parents who nags non stop. Even if you try your best to do what pleases them, it never seem to be enough. I am really not sure whether its the mentality, culture upbringing or that, parents are usually like this. But, to be wrong infront of their children is something quite embarassing for parents. They want to appear right. For so long, they have been telling you what to do, to guide you. Once we reach a certain age where we want to make decisions on our own, i guess parents don't feel so safe about it.
My simplest solution is to NOT ARGUE, and keep quiet. (even if they are at wrong or saying something terrible) I seriously help the situation alot. In my case, my parents know that they are wrong actually. I just don't want to embarass them.
3) To show
LOVE?This is tough especially for Asia culture. We are terribly shy people and for our parents, to show love is to give money monthly and provide for them. That's how they show their love to us. If you can, that would be good. (even a token would be good; but they will nag still.) Sometimes, i know you don't even feel like showing love....and simply just want to ignore the fact that showing love to our parents is a responsibility of a child. I find this aspect difficult actually. Am working on this too. I think there are tips:
1) Eat dinner with them?
2) Do house work?
3) Be there for family gatherings?
4) Call them?
5) Buy things for them?
6) Talk to them?
7) Listen to them; give them your attention? (Don't give advice at all)
Any tips to contribute?