Honor Your Family

Rob presented a very thought provoking challenge at Rush Franklin this past Sunday. It's one I really appreciate and I know it sparked thoughts in a lot of the students. Honor your family. It seems like a simple concept, but there's so much depth that goes with it. I think it's incredibly important and beneficial to be intentional about this one. I don't live with my family anymore, so it's a little bit more difficult to honor and serve them on a regular basis, so I decided to dedicate a blog to them this week.

I'll start with my dad -  Bradley Ward Edmonson

I have a lot of nice things to say about my dad because he's pretty great! He's where I get my work ethic, sense of humor and stunning good looks (haha...but really...I look just like him. My 1st grade teacher once told me if I grew a beard I could pass for my father). I feel bad for the guys who've tried to date me because my dad has set quite the standard. He has three girls and a wife, so he's learned to be incredibly patient and fair. I'm so thankful to have a dad who has been present my whole life - both physically and emotionally. Because of him, I'm confident that I can succeed in whatever I put my mind to and not settle for someone who doesn't live up to the standard he set.

And my mom -  Tracy Leigh Edmonson

I may be my dad's look alike, but I also get a lot of qualities from my mom and she's pretty great herself. I've never had to worry about whether things were going to get done or if I was going to be left somewhere. I am proud to say my mom only forgot to pick me up from school once in my entire life! She's also a really great sport when it comes to being picked on. She likes to say that my dad, sisters and I are all "taters," which is entirely true, but she handles it like a champ. I'm grateful to have had a mom that acted like a mom and now my sisters and I are able to enjoy a more grown up relationship with her because she knew when to parent and when to have fun.

It's my older sister's turn -  Dani Leigh Edmonson

Dani may not always look like it, but she's my older sister. We didn't get along AT ALL when we were younger, but I'm thankful that we've been able to grow out of that and into a great stage of life. While we spent a good majority of our childhood bickering and avoiding each other - we've more than made up for that now in laughter. I love that we saw the last Harry Potter movie separately, but when Helena Ravenclaw said, "If you have to ask, you'll never know" we both thought of when Angelica Pickles said the same thing in Rugrats. This is but one example of the many ways we communicate through television and movie quotes.

And the little one -  Jaci Rae Edmonson

Jaci may have been the last to really come into her own, but we're loving who she's become. Similar to Dani and me, we couldn't stand each other when we were kids, and it took a little bit more time to start getting along, but she is seriously hilarious these days. Half the things that come out of that girl's mouth just make me laugh so hard. Of the three of us, Jaci is the one who has no fear - if she wants to do something, she just does it. Now, it's not always smart and it caused her to get in more trouble than we ever did, but it's definitely something I admire in her because I definitely don't have that characteristic. I follow rules and fear consequences - Jaci does not.

We started a family tradition where we have to all fit into a camera phone shot for birthday dinners. It doesn't matter how long it takes, we have to make it work.

The day Jacers was born. A.K.A. the day I stopped getting attention - thanks a lot.

We don't usually take normal photos.

Weren't we pretty much the coolest kids ever?

And still are...

Another birthday camera phone shot.

Overall, thank you Rob, for bringing this topic to everyone's attention.

Children, obey your parents, for this is right, "Honor your father and mother" - which is the first commandment with a promise - "so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on earth." 

  - Ephesian 6:1-3

But let's not stop with just your parents. Try to honor, respect and even serve your siblings. Trust me - I know this can be difficult, but you'll be surprised at how it will even bless you in the end.