RESPECT FOR YOUR PARENTS IS RIGHT.
Bible Reading of the Day: Read Ephesians 6:1-3.
Verse of the Day: “You children must always obey your parents, for this is what pleases the Lord” (Colossians 3:20).
Mom sat on the edge of Sean’s bed and pulled the covers up to his chin.
“I’m not tired, Mommy,” Sean complained.
“Maybe not, but it’s your bedtime,” Mom insisted.
“But I won’t be able to sleep. Can’t I please stay up for a little while?”
“No,” she said softly as she stood. Then she paused and sat back down. “I have an idea,” she said. “Why don’t we play Mom’s memory game?”
“How do you play it?”
“Well, I’ll say a Bible verse that I remember, and then you say a Bible verse you remember. We’ll take turns remembering as many Bible verses as we can. I bet by the time we’ve said all the Bible verses we know, you’ll be ready to go to sleep.”
“That’s not fair,” Sean said. “You know more than I do.”
Mom smiled. “Don’t be so sure,” she said, winking at her son. “But just to make sure, I’ll help you if you get stuck. OK?”
“OK. I go first. ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that who … whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.'”
“Very good!” Mom said, clapping her hands. “OK, my turn; ‘Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, Rejoice.'”
A disappointed look crossed Sean’s face. “I was going to say that one!” he complained.
Mom smiled. “All right, I’ll let you count that one as one of yours, then, and I’ll say another one.” She smiled again as Sean nodded with satisfaction. “OK, I’ve got one. ‘Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.'”
Sean’s eyes narrowed. “No fair! You made that up!” he said accusingly.
Mom giggled at Sean’s suspicious reaction. “No, really, Sean, it’s in the Bible. You want me to show it to you? It’s Ephesians 6:1.”
Sean seemed to be searching his mother’s face for any sign of deceit. Finally, his expression changed. “OK,” he said at last. “I believe you.”
Mom said, “It’s in the Bible, Sean, because God wants us all to respect our parents. One way we show that we respect them is by obeying them.”
Sean nodded through heavy eyelids. “OK, Mom, but can we finish the game tomorrow? I think I’m ready to go to sleep.”
TO DISCUSS: Why is it right to show respect for our parents? How do you show respect for your parents?
TO PRAY: “God, help us to show respect for our parents, as well as other family members who have been like parents to us.”
