Thought of the Day 09.30.08

Whenever we see a parent being too harsh toward his children, we naturally encourage him to be more tender and forgiving. Not because having rules and enforcing them is a problem, but because unmerciful parents will always exasperate their children, who desperately need love and affirmation. Such parents need to learn to act more like God, imaging Whom is all parents’ primary task.

But what about the harshness of children? I know so many people who hold grudges against their parents, refusing to bless and honor them because of some cherished injustice. Yet aren’t these children being just as unmerciful? Parents crave love and affirmation every bit as much as children do. Thus justice without mercy is at least as grave defect in children as it is in parents.

Though it’s true that there is no greater wound than the rejection of a parent, it’s even more true that there is no greater anguish than the rejection of a child. When God commanded us to honor our parents, it’s possible He understood this.