Obedience

We spend a significant amount of time disciplining our children.  We expect them to be obedient.  When do we expect that to stop?  I mean, I don't obey my parents anymore nor do they expect it of me.  When does that change happen?  Is it at a certain established age or is it that elusive when-they-are-ready?  When am I ready and should my readiness even come into play?

There is that commandment that says to obey your parents, or honor your parents depending on the translation you use.  Hmmm?  As a Catholic I turn to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 
          "2217  As long as a child lives at home with his parents, the child should obey his parents in all that they ask of him when it is for his good or that of the family...As they grow up, children should continue to respect their parents.  They should anticipate their wishes, willingly seek their advice, and accept their admonitions.  Obedience toward parents ceases with the emancipation of the children; not so respect, which is owed to them.  This respect has its roots in the fear of God, one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit."

Well, there you have it.  I think we may have to look into those emancipated children who live at home. 

We still expect all of our children as well as our guests to respect the rules of our home.  My father and his lady friend did not stay 'together' at our house until after they were married.  Although I respect my father's choices, he respects the rules we have established for our children.  We do the same for our daughter and son-in-law concerning their child.  We have raised eight children but if our granddaughter's parents want something done differently we will respect that.  Her parents, in line with their faith, willingly seek our advice on matters.  Sometimes we may not agree with their decisions.  If we have done our jobs as parents we should be able to trust their abilities.  We should also be able to trust in the Holy Spirit to take care of them.  God took care of us and then loaned us these children to take care of for a while.  Now it is time to give them back and trust them to Him.