Scripture:  5th Commandment from Exodus 20:12:  "Honor your father and your mother so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you."
And Matthew 19: 16-19:  "Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"  Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied.  "There is only One who is good.  If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."  "Which  ones?" the man inquired.  Jesus replied, "Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love you neighbor as yourself."  (This passage is brought up to show that Jesus spoke of this and other commandments, but the passage goes on in verses 20-30 with the rich young man claiming to have kept them all, and Jesus putting before him one requirement that exposed the inner workings of his unrighteous heart.  He told the young man to sell all he had, give the money to the poor and follow him.  The rich young man went away sorrowful, unable to let go of his wealth.  He did not love his neighbor -or God- to that extent.)

My brother, George, Jr., retired from his career as a school teacher about a year and a half ago.  His wife, Judy, plans to retire in June of this year.  George is an avid golfer and manages to spend some time golfing during his retirement, although some games have been interrupted or rescheduled due to the needs of parents.  He spends much of his retirement time in a "Higher" calling, caring for parents.  He keeps books for our parents and his mother-in-law.  He keeps the bills paid and manages the paperwork required, etc.  He takes our parents, who reside in a Health Care Facility, to various doctors appointments and, for a while, he took them on weekly shopping trips and out to lunch.  Now that our Mother and Daddy are not able to go out often, he visits and takes in a meal while keeping their other material needs and desires supplied.

Every other weekend, George and Judy travel several miles to Judy’s mother’s home.  Judy spends the day cleaning the house, shopping and preparing meals for the days ahead.  Judy also does laundry for the three parents and sees that all have suitable clothes for each season.  

There is so much more I could write about George and Judy’s service in "honoring their father and mothers", but space is limited.  I thank the Lord for the good health and strength He has given them as they care for our parents.  This is important as they live about 18 miles from our parents and I live 260 miles away.

I, also pray the Lord will continue to bless them in the care they give and pray that He will bless George with beautiful days of golf and Judy with beautiful yard sale days and both with time with their family.  They have been blessed with two daughters, two sons-in-law and two beautiful grandchildren!

Prayer:  An Opening Prayer from worship services at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church:
O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you:  Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

--Vicky Williams