“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” –Exodus 20:12

I was just thinking about this text last night.  My Dad and I went to an individuals house to give a Bible Study, which is really awesome that I get that experience with my Dad.  After the study we sat in my driveway for about an hour just talking.  I came inside and this text popped into my head, “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long…” I didn’t think about it because I had been disrespectful or dishonoring to him.  I realized my dad is a lot smarter than me, not intellectually though probably that too, but experientially.  That text popped into my head and I felt God impressing upon my heart to listen to honor my Dad’s counsel because his wisdom would help me avoid some pitfalls in life, thus reducing my stress, and thus hopefully I will live longer as a result.  Suddenly I realized honoring is not just about being kind and respectful.  It is more than just being obedient while a child. It is a lifelong commitment to honoring their counsel, the legacy God is using them to help direct us into. 

I know that not everyone has a Dad or Mom.  Or not everyone is blessed with the relationship with their Dad or Mom that I am.  To those folk I would encourage you to do this, go seek out someone that is older than you someone with more life experience.  Even if you are 40 or 50 I am sure there is someone that is 60 or 70 that could throw some counsel into your life.  I think you would be surprised at how many great people are out there willing to speak words that we need to honor into our lives, if we would just listen! 

I am blessed beyond words to have my Mom and Dad as two of my best friends.  But I also have a significant number of other folk that I ask and invite into my life to give me counsel that will help me to live a long and blessed life.