Revenge: Give them What They Deserve

I was catching up with a friend recently when I asked her how her Mother’s Day was--the tears welling up in her eyes told me all I needed to know. To be honest, mine was not noteworthy either. My husband is usually very thoughtful and generous when it comes to holidays, but this year not so much. I could easily chalk it up to the stress of us moving to a new state, a new house, a new job, a new routine, but that doesn’t make it sting any less. I spent the entire day fighting back tears and resisting the urge to look at Facebook one more time to see how all my friends were being honored.  As mothers, we take pride in our children and how we care for them. We go above and beyond each day without any acknowledgement. You would think the one day a year that is set aside to appreciate all we do, we would get something…a handmade card, breakfast in bed, a somewhat sincere “Happy Mother’s Day." But this year I had to wait until the Monday after for a genuine “Happy Mother’s Day” from my three-year-old, which was prompted by watching Disney Jr.

As my friend and I relived our Mother’s Day, we naturally transitioned to the male equivalent. I asked what she was planning for Father’s Day and she quipped, “Absolutely nothing! I will not acknowledge that he is a father. I will make no mention of it. I’m going to pretend that the day doesn’t exist.” For a second, I was on board with her--yeah, give them what they deserve! Then the words started to sink in…give them what they deserve. She looked at me and asked, “What do you think I should do?” I responded, “You probably don’t want to hear it."

You see, though my husband missed a great opportunity to teach my children about honoring their mother, that doesn’t mean I should do the same. It is vital that children learn to love, respect, and honor their parents no matter the circumstances. If I choose to overlook my husband on Father’s Day, I will be sending a message to them that he is not important. In fact, with this being my second marriage, my first husband deserves to be honored by his children, as well. You may be thinking, “You don’t know my children’s father. He doesn’t deserve anything!” While there are some circumstances that warrant that response, there are many that do not.

The question bears asking: What would happen if we all got what we deserve? I don’t know about you, but I am fully relying on God’s grace to get me through the gates of Heaven. Even if I was judged on my best day, I would fall short--and I definitely don’t want what I SHOULD have coming to me. We tend to remember our best moments, but everyone else’s worst. Thankfully, God doesn’t keep records of our wrongs, and neither should we.

This week, I encourage you to go crazy for Father’s Day: tacky ties, handprint cards, and coffee mugs included. Even if you don’t feel like he deserves it!

~ Melissa

RELATED SCRIPTUREI

Corinthians 134Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Ephesians 61Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”