It’s Father’s day and so well wishes are due to the wonderful Father’s out there.
I don’t know about you, but Father’s day has always been tough for me. Coming from a single parent home where my mum essentially played both roles and as the eldest, I was often the second caregiver to my siblings supporting my mummy. It was hard, painful at times and jealousy used to seep in when I saw how happy my girlfriends were with their amazing Fathers.
But a miracle happened! Over the past two years I have gotten much closer to my once non-existent and distant Dad. I’ll tell you how it happened; it was because of a change in MY mindset, valuing and understanding the promises of God’s word.
“Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. – Exodus 20:21
Honour your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you. – Deuteronomy 5:16
The command says, “Honour your father and mother.” This is the first command that has a promise with it, “Then everything will be well with you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” – Ephesians 6:2-3
I remember reading these scriptures years ago and God spoke to me, asking, ‘Where is your honour Kanayo’?
- Me and my pops in Asaba, Nigeria
Despite the circumstances, despite what I felt towards my Father, God still required that obedience from me to honour my Father. Of course I fought tirelessly against such an absurd request. How could I honour a man who wasn’t there for me? But God still asked me, ‘Where is your honour’?
I came to realise that me honouring my Father wasn’t about him, it was about my allegiance to God, my love for His word and desire to get that promise of long life. Whether or not your parents were good to you, honour them for the position God gave them in your life. I am telling you that disrespect is a killer of our young people…don’t cut your days short because of disrespect. The Word of God is very clear!
A great yet scary example is Ham, Noah’s son in the Bible. Ham saw His Father’s nakedness and laughed (Genesis 9), instead of covering him like his brothers did. This provoked Noah, to curse Ham and His offspring. On the flip side, we have Jacob and Esau (Genesis 27), both after the blessings from their old Father Isaac. Even though Jacob was sneaky and got in there first to honour His father, by bringing all that He requested. His act of service and honour provoked His Father to speak life over Him and bless Him!
What I learnt is that your act of service and honour encourages blessings in your life. The words of a mother or father are powerful and your output in life is often as a result of the words and prayers spoken over you! So are you a child that provokes your parents to bless you or curse you? Where is your honour?
Please note, ‘a curse without a cause will not stand’. So if someone, albeit your parent curses you and you are not at fault, the curse is invalid…just saying!
It is vital to remember the latter part of the scripture that our parents love to throw about. ‘Honour your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you (Deut 5:16)’.
We are to honour in the way that is pleasing to God and not pleasing to man. We are to honour as He instructed us to do and not how man defines and instructs honour. God is not the author of confusion, if your parents ask you to show honour, obedience etc. to them by commanding you to do that which offends God, then your allegiance is to God. He will defend you and He sees it all.
So today, make it a point to HONOUR both your parents, serve them, encourage them, bless them! Do it even when you don’t ‘feel’ like it. Do it because of your love for God and your love for long life!
Finally, if you don’t have a Dad around to celebrate, celebrate The One who is a Father to the Fatherless, who is our Daddy, who we have the privilege to call Abba Father and Honour Him with your Praise, your worship and obedience.
We celebrate all Fathers, past, present and future. God bless you xxx
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I can relate to this! Although my dad was physically present, I didn’t feel his presence much in my life, especially in my teens. My mama was my everything. But I praise God for healing and reconciliation. Our relationship gets better everyday by His grace.
We really do thank God hun! All our experiences pave the way for amazing testimonies xx
Reblogged this on Pst.Zino and commented:
When Daddy Was Not There. God Was & Will Always Be There.
This is amazing Kay! This is something I have learnt also despite having my dad present, he was not always the greatest but we must honour our fathers despite their flaws. God bless you for this revelation.
Bless you my sister Seph! We really thank God for making us Daughters of Honour and for that, He will honour us by fulfilling all He has promised. Amen xx
A wonderful thought. Much needed one. I also love how you put in the truth about curses in the penultimate para!!! Thanks Kanayo! 🙂
Aww you’re welcome hun! Thank you for reading ❤
Hi Kanayo, this just spoke to me! I’m currently finding it very difficult to develop/grow a relationship with my dad and father in-law beyond a certain point. Tough situation, but like you said, to love God is to show honour to them despite…! No one ever said being a true Christian is easy.
I know sis, its not easy but it will be worth it 🙂
Keep walking in Love with them all to the glory of God ❤