Children obey your parents, that your days may be long and prosperous. Neglect not your father’s instructions. Do not claim to be wiser than him. What the elder saw from the valley of the mountain, the younger may not see from the peak. A new broom may sweep well but the old broom knows every corner of the room. Let not he that is preparing for war boast as he who has returned from war. Respect you give to your parents is a good seed sown to be harvested by you later. He who does not respect and honour the elderly people is praying to die young. If you are seeing more than your father, it is because you are standing on his shoulder. Honour him.
A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother. As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is he to she that born him. Take care of your mother all the days of her life. Remember she risked her life to bring you into this world. She shed her blood for you, though not on the cross, but in the labour room. “Mother behold your child, child behold your mother” means that after she had taken care of you, you in turn should take care of her. It is almost an unpardonable sin to keep your mother out of your budget. She faithfully took care of you, now it is your turn, be faithful. It has been said that, a person realizes how indebted he is to his parents when he gets his own child. Learn to show filial piety at home and to repay your parents; for this is good and acceptable before the Father of all spirits. If you get to the top, remember who helped you get there. Let not your life prove that: A friend in power is a friend lost. You, who are Joshua in the battle field, forget not Moses in the sharing of the loot, for it is his lifted hands on the family altar that brings you victory in the battle field of this life. Do not let his lifted hands get weak. Love the priest in the church but do not forget the one on the family altar. “Corban” is a false doctrine. Your parents were not guilty of filicide, don’t be guilty of parricide. Caring for the elderly is better than expensive befitting burial. You will know the value of water when the well dries. But while beholding your mother, do not lose sight of your FATHER in Heaven. Let not love and respect for parents turn you away from the Holy Writ. Let no earthly ties or attraction hinder your walk in any divine path. A man of conscience is not obliged to obey the laws of a king if they go against societal norm and his own moral principles.
THE ABCD FOR FAMILY PEACE AND PROGRESS
Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
Wives, submit to your own husbands.
Parents do not provoke your children lest they become discouraged.
Children, obey your parents. Honour your father and mother that it may be well with you, and you will live long.
-BKC YAHKA
Child, Behold Your Mother
