Lately, I’ve seemed to enter a door that granted me access to the mysterious land of parenthood. It’s like I’ve chanted the words straight out of Dragon Tales. “I wish, I wish, with all my heart, to fly with dragons, in a land apart”, but of course replacing “dragons” with “parents”. I’m not saying I am ready to bare a child (oh goodness, I’m so not) or that I am officially wise beyond my years. If there is one nugget I’m grabbing and running with it would be that parenthood exposes the wild love the Lord has for his sons and daughter. A kind of love that harnesses different forms, unleashing creativity and grace.
As I warp my way back to young adulthood, I’m stuck asking the question, “What does it mean to be a child?” I am not a mother, wife, or even a girlfriend, therefore the only name I’m entitled with is a kiddie to my parents (a statement that even as I age, will never change).
I’ve been wrestling with that question and truthfully it has been rough to face. My inner stubbornness is ready to burst out and my heart pounds to screams at the injustice. I can’t escape the fact. It’s like a perfect 2D square, no matter what angle I look at there will always be four 90 degree angles proclaiming that it is a square. I am a child to my parents. Yup. The parents who share an undeniable love for my sibs and I, but are humans sprinkled with shortcomings. Never in my life will I replace them but the phrase “parents know best,” is a hard one to swallow right now.
Naturally what do I do when I’m flustered with a question. Hop on google, search “Submission to parents Bible verses.” and read away. Man, let me tell you, my heart cringed to read these words. I can’t change the Bible but I can control the way I perceive and accept the words. **Side note, whenever it’s a pain for us to obey the bible, that should be a red siren for a harden heart.**
In a world/generation that desires independency, we are created to be a child. A child of God, yes, but also a child to our parents (which tends to be a less sparkly role). I’m soaking in this season of submission while not down playing the faith-seeking request the Lord has for my life. For now, I’m holding what these verses say with teachable heart.
Colossians 3:20
Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
Proverbs 6:20
My son, observe the commandment of your father and do not forsake the teaching of your mother;
Deuteronomy 5:16
Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you on the land which the LORD your God gives you.
