My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life. Proverbs 6:20-23

Dear Jesus, you gave me great parents who labored tirelessly to rear my siblings and me with careful instruction and love. I know their rules, instructions and modeling were all from the faithful heart of parents who owned the success of their children. I grieve even today about the times I made their work stressful or difficult. However, now all of their work is bearing fruit long after they have entered your palace in heaven. Help me honor my parents and you by doing from the heart what they engraved there. Encourage parents everywhere that you are proud of them when they invest time, energy and insight in the children you have loaned them. Help them have faith that one day their children will pray like this. Encourage them, so they do not give up in the face of temporary resistance. AMEN

God invented parents and families. He highly esteems this arrangement. That's why he protects it with one of his "Big Ten" commandments.

Additional Readings: Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 3:21-26, 1:7-9, 10:17,