WELCOME BACK. IT’S BEEN A WHILE…
I WROTE THIS POST LAST DECEMBER AND I
HAVE NO IDEA HOW I FORGOT TO PUT IT UP. ANWAYS HERE’S FOR YOUR READING
PLEASURE.
ENJOY…
I learn lessons every day.
I wish I were more
disciplined to write them down as they come.
Anyways, that’s why I have
a blog.
This morning, I had a
conversation with a friend that got me thinking.
How much do you love your
family? Do they need to be perfect to earn your love?
By family here, I am referring to those you
are related to by blood and this goes beyond your immediate nuclear family.
My family isn’t perfect.
We have all kinds of people in it. The good, the bad and the ugly. But guess
what, I love my family. I wouldn’t trade them for the world.
To be honest, I definitely
love some of them from a distanceeeeeee but I still love them.
Whether you agree or not,
your family shaped you. You are the person you are because of the experiences
you have been through (good and bad). And most times, your family is at the center
of these experiences, especially in a culture as family-oriented as the African
culture.
My admonition this morning is for you to make sure you love your family (from a distance if need be, but please love them).
Do not take kindly to people
talking them down. Even if your father is a drunk and your mother is a
prostitute, they are still your earthly parents. The most disrespectful thing
you can do is to openly talk them down.
Am I asking you to turn a blind eye to
reality? NO. Even if you wanted to, reality has a way of forcing your eyes
open.
My point is this: you shouldn’t encourage
people in insulting your family. Acknowledge the facts but don’t step to the
other side and turn on your family. If the evidence of bad behavio(u)r is
overwhelming and you will look stupid trying to refute it, there is no shame in
stepping up and saying “Hey guys, this is my **** we are talking about here. I
acknowledge they have done such and such, but could you please not be so
disrespectful, at least in my presence”.
In the first place, no-one
should feel comfortable talking down your family especially your parents and
siblings in your presence. If they do, then there is a huge problem. A problem
you caused and you need to rectify.
Yes, your mum is morbidly
obese, but it’s not your place to crack jokes about it in the midst of your
friends saying she’s as huge as a whale. Miss me with that psychologists babble
about deflecting sensitive issues by making jokes of it yourself, there is NO
excuse for making fun of your parents.
“Yo mama” jokes are funny,
but they depict the sad loss of respect this generation has for parents.
You want to find out what
the Holy Bible says about respecting your parents?
Exodus 20:12
"Honour your father and your
mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Ephesian 6:2-3
Honour your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so
that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.
Matthew
15:4 For God said, 'Honour your father and mother' and 'anyone who curses
their father or mother is to be put to death.'
Mark 7:10
For Moses said, 'Honour your father and mother,' and, 'Anyone who curses their
father or mother is to be put to death.'
Little wonder, so many
young people in this generation have their lives cut short.
Nothing happens in
isolation. This is a generation where being respectful is seen as “uncool” and
your rudeness determines your ranking on the “hot or not” list; a generation
where talking back to your parents is the norm instead of the exception.
So
long as this wave of dishonouring parents continues, the repercussions stated
in the Bible will continue.
Hard pill to swallow, huh…
Anyway, back to my
starting point:
LOVE YOUR FAMILY.
Be it from a distance,
physically via your words and actions or by praying for them, just ensure you
love your family. Do not be disrespect your family, neither should you
disrespect any other family.
I can assure you it is not
the easiest thing to do, but that’s not a valid excuse not to do it.
If you have hated or
talked down your family and you want to change, start small. Today is a good
starting point. Send “just-because” wishes to that person you haven’t spoken to
in so long.
Baby steps are better than
stagnation. Just make sure you keep at it. The most important fact is that you
have acknowledged your actions were wrong and you need to change.
All the best.
Loads of love.
I am always available via
my inbox for any further conversations or clarifications.