Zimpapers Logo

Latwell Nyangu Youth Interactive Writer

Honouring your father and mother is being courteous in word and action and having an inward attitude of esteem for their position.

A parent’s love is whole no matter how many times divided.

As students we demand much from our parents, but they don’t ask for much in return, but appreciation and gratitude go a long way.

What you choose to say to your parents and how you choose to say it is to be done with respectful tones and vocabulary.

Essentially, speak well of your parents. It is anything but honourable to talk poorly of them.

Recompense tribute to them when you achieve accomplishments, letting them know that you are where you are in life because of them. Many times I have noted that as students we behave wildly away from our parents’ vicinity, making people ask where we come from.

This smudges the image of our parents, yet after college, we go back home and we act like we are the coolest and well-behaved kids ever.

When the cat is away, the mice play and this is indeed true based on how some students behave.

Our generation has changed so rapidly, what is considered normal and typical to you and your peers might be totally taboo for our parents. Know what they would not approve of and do your best not to throw your behaviours and habits in their face.

When you see them, curb your cocktailing, or choose not to act wild in their presence. If they attend church every Sunday, consider tagging along, or if you are irreligious, see them off and wish them well. Meet them halfway by joining them for any family activities.

As you enjoy the Heroes’ holiday, as students, let’s take a moment to pay homage to our parents, guardians and anyone who looks after us.

Our parents deserve our honour and respect for grooming us. Beyond this they have always made countless sacrifices as they cared for and nurtured us through our infancy and childhood, provided us with the necessities of life, and nursed us through physical illnesses and the emotional stresses of growing up.

Parents help us to contour our characters at home and away from home.  Being away from home separates us from the discipline we get from our parents.

I have noted some different characters among students, where some when at school, they behave like it’s their last day of living.

Obviously, we should honour them with both actions and attitudes. Wise students heed their parent’s instructions, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

This week, Campus Reflections recommends us as students to pay homage to our parents.

We should seek to honour our parents in much the same way that we strive to bring glory to God— in our thoughts, words, and actions.

For us as young people, obeying parents goes hand in hand with honouring them. That includes listening, heeding, and submitting to their authority. After we mature, the obedience that we learned as children will serve us well in honouring other authorities such as the government, police, and employers among others.

I have the greatest respect for anyone who looks after us as children, single parents, guardians, and everyone who struggles and sacrifices, trying against almost superhuman odds to hold the family together.

They should be honoured and helped in their heroic efforts. But any mother’s or father’s task is much easier where there are two functioning parents in the home.

Parents are given a seasonal authority over us, but they are endowed with perpetual honour. No matter how old, mature, and independent we become, God still says, listen to your father who gave your life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

All human beings are created to be treated with dignity, which at times creates some tension, on the one hand, you want to teach your students the value and purpose of honouring their parents.

Parents are our first personal, tangible and unavoidable encounter with the rule of God over us. Will we obey or rebel, submit or defy, honour or despise? Fellow students, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord” (Colossians 3:20).

Parents are a vivid reminder of the fullness of God, the kind of fullness that spills over in creation.

And good parents, like the wonderful father and mother God has given me, are especially brilliant reflections of that loving fullness and creativity. Countless people grow up knowing that they are expected to honour their parents.

It makes sense. For most, your parents gave your life, raised you, sacrificed for you, and loved you fiercely.

Recognize what they do for you and acknowledge the countless sacrifices that they have made over the years for your benefit. Know that everything they have done in their lives has likely been for you in some capacity.

In modern times, this way to honour parents is fairly simple, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. While discussing past hurt and pain or issues with parents might feel therapeutic, and in some cases actually is therapeutic, know that there is probably a correct time and place for such behaviour.

Working through family troubles can be done in ways that don’t disrespect the people who raised you.

Students learn so much from their parents, both good and bad.

Parents want to see their hard work in child-rearing reflected in their children as they grow.

Your parents want to be of service to you. They want to help you throughout your life, no matter how old you become.

One way to honour them is to seek out their advice and wisdom. Let them offer perspective and consider using what they say. You don’t have to do what they advise all the time; you are, after all, your own person. But listening and contemplating their pearls of wisdom is an honourable act.

Not everyone will be able to do exactly as the Bible says and care for their aging parents in all things possible. You can still support and provide for your parents, even if you live far away from them or cannot financially foot their bills.

Making the time to connect with them on a regular basis is a way to emotionally support your parents in their older years. Asking if they need anything is an honourable act.

It lets them know that you recognize that there might be needs and are willing to seek out what those needs are.