At some point in our lives, we may have been disappointed in our parents. Perhaps we’ve felt unappreciated or misunderstood, or unsupported in our goals. I know of more than one individual who has thought about how wonderful it would be to be able to choose one’s own parents—to start over again and have the opportunity for a more positive parental influence.
While we may not be able to choose our parents, it’s helpful to consider that we do have the ability to choose how we think about and treat them. Sometimes this involves the willingness to forgive when we’ve felt wronged.
On this subject, the Fifth Commandment in the Bible offers the following guidance: “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee” (Exodus 20:12). It promises that in honoring our parents—showing them the respect, love, and forgiveness we expect from them—we are blessed.
