Child of my parents
He appointed a law in Israel,
Which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children. Psalm 78:5
Read Ephesians 6:1—9
The command, says our writer, brings a promise. Yes, even in the broadest, most accepted terms, I would agree. My childhood was laden with promise. Everything fed into me, for better or worse, was potential for outcome. I was so tender. I was so vulnerable. I was so ready to be bent, to be directed one way or another. I so needed someone to honour. My parents, my mentors, the generation before me, how they drew respect from me, and how I gave it back, these are matters that affect my life today. And it is not just how others treated me. I was active myself. I was already a participant in my own life. I was already, I can see it now, on the road to becoming what I am now. God’s grace was beginning the work of forming me.
Loving heavenly Father, it has taken many turnings, many interventions, repeated acts of grace and kindness for you to bring me to this evening prayer, where I wish to give you thanks. Thank you for the grace of my childhood. For those from my childhood whom I can honour, and whom I do honour now. Thank you for those you call me to imitate. If there are any that I cannot respect or whose memory brings pain, give me an understanding heart toward them, and a deeper understanding of your redeeming grace within me. From this meditation tonight, fashion me as a model now for the generation that is growing around me. Oh, that they would see something of you in me. Let me be ready to greet them with full attention in your love.