By Dr. Jacquelyn Simmons
Scripture: Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee (Deut. 5:16).
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates ( Deut. 6:4-9).
My Dear, Dear Children,
In case you are wondering why you are being addressed again as my children, well, to me, age wise, many of you are in the same category as my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchild who is no longer a baby. I taught many of your parents, grandparents, great grandparents…
During my long span of being in the teaching profession and having been trained in other God-given categories, this child of the King feels quite qualified among others to bless you with advice gained through many personal experiences. Many of you may be quite bored and annoyed when in the company of some of your aged families, friends and family members’ friends, but you will eventually feel honored, as I am now to have learned a lot of wisdom from some of the elderly persons God permitted me to cross their path during my lifetime, so far.
In our text for this message, Moses is giving final instructions to the Israelites to whom he had given the last forty years of his life, trying to lead them to God’s Promised Land. They let Moses and his brother Aaron down in many ways. Some of the passages of his final instructions to them are recorded in the aforementioned text for this message was to teach their children to love God and obey His commandments. The commandment, which captured my attention most after the One that stated love God and keep His commandments, was, Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged…(Deut. 5:16).
Do you know children who actually curse their parents and are deliberately disobedient to them as well? Can you attest to the fact that God called them home early in life; but, before their departure, they suffered slow agonizing deaths? The ones who were kind, courteous and helpful to their parents lived long lives. Aren’t you still here to represent obedient, kind children to your parents?
Praying that none of you is guilty of atrocious acts against your parents. God means it when He says; He will shorten your days on this, His earth.
Mothers and children, have a blessed and joyful “Mothers’ Day”. If you ought against your mother, let her know in meaningful ways you forgive her. If your mother has preceded you in death, adopt a mother and show her blessed “Mothers’ Day” kindnesses.
Love,
Jacquelyn Simmons
P.S. To our mother “Bill” (nickname), even though God called you home almost forty years ago, I still miss you as if your departure were today.
Love, Love Cliffortene
