I struggled with my relationship with my father for many years. I knew that the source and epitome of honor is God and because of my faith, I knew that it was not right to honor my Heavenly father, my spiritual father, and not honor the relationship with my biological father. God has commanded us because of His sovereign reign over us to honor our father and mother. The Biblical definition for honor is to esteem and treat one another with respect because of who they are (www.tabletalkmagaine.com What is Honor?, William Barclay, 2019).
We are told in the following scriptures about honoring our fathers: Ephesians 6:2, Honor your father and mother, (which is the first commandment with promise); Exodus 20:12, Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you; Proverbs 23:22, Listen to your father, who gave you life; Leviticus 20:9, For anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death; he has cursed his father or his mother; his blood is upon him; and Deuteronomy 5:16, Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
Over the years, after my study in the Bible regarding honoring your father, I am happy to say that our relationship evolved. I found that honoring my father was biblically correct and honoring him brought with it certain rewards. I found peace after having the courage to have those crucial conversations during our drives to the hills. Did you know that the Bible tells us in over 85 scriptures that we should honor our father (parents)? Once I found those scriptures, I found joy in my relationship with him. I begin to focus more on being the best daughter to my father and worried less about not having Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable, a fictional character as my dad.
Because my father was present and shared so many memories with me, I learned so many valuable lessons that helped to shape who I am today, I have listed several of the central themes from those lessons.
Lessons from my father:
Love your family;
Be supportive;
Be social;
Care about others;
Consistency (Although my parents were not married, they were co-parenting before it became a thing.);
Don’t excessively abuse alcohol;
Pay bills on time (so that you can have good credit);
Be committed to your job and be loyal to your place of employment. (He worked at the same place for over 37 years.);
Always keep your vehicle on half a tank (still working on this one); and
Be peaceful (Always remind others that you don’t mean any harm.).
Tomorrow, November 23rd is his birthday and although he is not here with us, we will gather as a family to release balloons to honor his memory, the legacy, and lessons that he left with us.
I thank God for my father and all that he was to me.
With Love,
Happy Heavenly Birthday!
Your Daughter, Dr. ReShone
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