Parents and Children Can Eventually Be Friends

And we said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a young brother, the child of his old age. His brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother’s children, and his father loves him.’ Genesis 44:20

Oh, a child’s painful journey to finally become his parent’s friend. To a child, parents are god-like, by divine intention. It takes a good chunk of adulthood for that child to see a parent’s humanity, to forgive the imperfections, and then to embrace friendship.

And oh, a parent must travel the painful journey to become their child’s friend. True friendship will be impossible without a willingness to adapt from being a parent to a peer. Parents will always see their child as a child, even in their 60’s and 70’s. Humility is necessary if parents want to learn from grown children, to be taught by them.

It took two decades for Judah to talk respectfully of his father and his father’s affections.  Though he had despised his father’s love for Joseph when he was a younger man, his words in today’s scripture are full of admiration, respect, and acceptance for who his father is and who his father loves.

Jaime, my daughter, and I work together in this ministry. Our relationship has evolved over the years. A mother/daughter relationship is wonderful and complicated. We will be the first to admit that. But it can become a work of glory when both are committed to grow amidst the challenges of getting older together. When people learn that we work together, most are surprised. “Really? And you get along?” We laugh but we also understand the question.

What is the secret of true fellowship in a relationship, whether friend or family?  Both must love God more than the other person. Under God’s wings, relationships thrive.

Your work of grace creates relational masterpieces. Amen