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"Sweetheart, please pick up those toys." "Fine! But then it's MY turn to watch a movie!" Obedience without honor. Jordan and I are currently memorizing this passage, Eph. 6:1-4. Even as a teenager I read it and wondered what the difference was between "honoring" someone and "obeying" them. So, today I looked it up... and I'm soooo glad I did! I found that when we obey, we are doing what we were told. When we honor, we are placing a high value on someone (and their perspective, their will, their words and their actions). Can you imagine how much easier it is to obey someone who's will, words and actions you value greatly? The greek word for honor is timao, which means to estimate, evaluate; heavily weighted value; esteem, revere. To "honor" someone literally means to place and fix someone at a high value." This is HUGE! Because, once I learn how to value someone I can much more comfortably and easily obey them! Now, I'm a parent. I have often experienced the uncomfortable function of obedience without honor. "What's wrong here? They're doing what I asked, but something doesn't feel right." It's a lack of honor. Just as honoring God will make my obedience to Him much easier, my children honoring me will make their obedience come easier. So, parents, how can we teach our kids to not only obey us, but HONOR us? Verse 4 in The Message says to stop, "...coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master." It is a picture of mercy & love. I honor God because of His great mercy & love, hopefully, as I demonstrate it to my own children, they will honor me too. Then, obedience will come much easier for both of us.