Parents

Before you read the rest of this post, I want to encourage you to read Genesis chapter 22. It certainly will help make sense of the rest of this post.

One of the most misunderstood groups of people in our world today is that group of people that we know of as Parents. (The only other group that is more misunderstood is that of Politicians!)

For young people, seeking to understand their parents, there are some lessons that can be learned from the event recorded for us in Genesis chapter 22 when God directed Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac.

(Please keep in mind that these are not listed in any specific order.)

1. Children are a gift from God and therefore belong to God. Isaac was the "son of promise." Isaac's birth was a direct result of God. Therefore, God had every right to direct Abraham to offer Isaac. You do not belong to your parents. They are simply stewards of the gift (you) that God gave them. They are simply seeking to faithfully bring you up in the nuture and admonition of the Lord. Read 1 Samuel chapter 1 to understand this just a little more.

2. Parents know/are aware of things which their children will never be aware of. There is no indication in Genesis chapter 22 that Isaac was ever fully aware of what God had directed his father to do. Your parents have struggles - financial, work related, spiritual - that you know nothing about. While you may think that "parents have it easy" I can assure that they don't. You might be surprised at the number of times that your parents have been up half the night praying through a struggle that they were facing. In the morning, when you woke up, you just assumed that they slept as well as you did.

3. Parents have a responsibility before God. Sometimes young people imagine that their parent's only responsibility is to meet their needs and to make them happy. Unfortunately, that mentality does not always take in consideration God's command to parents (particularly fathers) in Ephesians chapter 6.

4. Parents must learn to trust God even when they don't understand. It should be fairly obvious that Abraham, while he obeyed, likely did not understand the "Why" behind God's command to sacrifice Isaac. Young people aren't the only ones who, at times, ask, "Why." Young people aren't the only ones who struggle when their "Why" is not answered sufficiently. Just remember: While you are asking mom and dad, "Why," it is very likely that they are doing the same (only their "Why" is directed to God)! We all must remember Proverbs 3:5-6.

5. Parents love you more than you'll ever know. (At least until you have children of your own!) While this one, at times, is difficult for young people to accept/acknowledge, it is true none the less! There is no doubt in my mind that Abraham loved his son, Isaac. I can't imagine the conflict that Abraham experienced between "I love God and want to obey Him," and "I love Isaac and don't want to sacrifice him." Again, this is one that young people will never fully appreciate until they have children of their own!

6. Godly parents desire God's best for their children. Abraham wanted God's best. Abraham wanted God's best for Isaac. Unfortunately, God's best required sacrifice. Young people, in their desire for you to experience God's best, your parents are likely going to discipline, train, chasten, etc. you in ways and at times that are not pleasant. Please remember, though, they desire God's best for you!

7. Parents are not perfect. This is probably the most obvious. But it's also the most difficult to understand and acknowledge. Your parents are still growing. They are still learning. As a result they will make mistakes. This isn't to excuse outright hypocrisy but it should cause you to exercise a little patience and understand toward your parents. (Just like you want your parents to be patient and understanding toward you!)

Just as you are a gift from God to your parents, your parents are a gift from God to you. Love them. Cherish them. Honor them. Listen to them. All to soon they will be gone!