Today, the church remembers all fathers and mothers. We are what we are today because our parents made many sacrifices to provide for us: The food we ate and the clothes we wear did not come from the market or shops but because someone, your parents, used their hard earned money to buy them for you. The reason why you have food to eat and a clean home to stay in is because someone does housework everyday to keep the house clean. These, your parents do everyday for many years. They have exhausted their most fruitful years and youth for you. That is why they are old today. You are a useful person today not because it is natural. In fact, it is not natural for you to be a good person because you were born with a sinful nature (Psalm 51:5), with a potential to live a sinful life that heads towards eternal destruction because sin destroys. But you are a good person today because they got angry and upset and bothered to discipline you. They did not enjoy scolding or canning you because it is very draining both physically and emotionally. But they knew they had to so that you might grow up to be a useful and happy person. We, as children, owe our parents an unpayable debt. We thank God for you, fathers and mothers.  Thank you.

If you understand how much your parents love you and a little of the extent of the sacrifices they made for you, how can you not love your parents and make sacrifices to love and care for them? Nothing is too inconvenient to make them happy. Thus, one of the Ten Commandments that God wrote with His finger, commands us to “Honour your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12). How do you honour your father and your mother?

First, they ensured that you had food to eat, clothes to wear and a shelter over your heads. You must do likewise for them. When you were sick, their watchful eyes never left you. It is never too much to ask that you take a day’s leave to bring them to the doctor when they are sick. Do you remember them going out of their way to get you something that you need? Do likewise for them when you know they need something.

Second, be a comfort to them. Do you remember when you were worried about something or scared of the dark, they were always there for you to comfort you? Spend time with them: They love talking to their son or daughter. When you could not walk fast or tie your shoe laces, remember how they waited and helped you patiently? Likewise, remember to be patient with them. Perhaps they take a little while to walk or do something. Be patient with them as they had been towards you.

Third, give them eternal life. No matter how much you give them in this life, there will come a day that you can no longer take care of them. They will one day die and leave this world. But we praise and thank our Lord Jesus Christ: Our Lord loves them and desires to be their Saviour, Shepherd, Guide, Help, Strength and Comfort for eternity. You must tell them about Jesus. Only Jesus can take care of them forever because our Lord Jesus is the true and living almighty God. You must pray for them every day. Ask the almighty Holy Spirit God to open their spiritual eyes that they may see that they are sinners and need to receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Then they will receive eternal life and heaven. Yes, they will leave us one day. But we will meet again in heaven and enjoy eternal life, never to part. How wonderful.