Laura Crear

Confirmation camp was a very interesting experience for me. It was fun, but also challenging. We studied many different things during our week, including Holy Communion, Baptism, the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostles’ Creed, and my main topic for today - the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments really spoke to my heart. I feel that all people should know what God teaches us in the commandments, especially because they help us examine our thoughts and actions, helping us to repent, and keeping us from repeating mistakes over and over again.

As a teenager, I sometimes struggle with authority. For this reason, my main focus for today will be the fourth commandment: "Honor your father and your mother . . . And B.J." All the commandments are equally important. However, one thing that really stood out to me was the promise attached to the fourth commandment: "so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you" (Exodus 20:12). It is interesting that God has attached this promise to the commandment that is very difficult for teenagers to obey. However, if God has attached this promise, this shows me the importance of obeying it.

The people who know me will say I honor my mother and father. One summer I lost trust in my father and my stepmother. As the summer went on, I felt as if I was betrayed by my stepmother’s family. My dad hardly spoke to me and it seemed like I had more chores to do than my sister. For a time, it seemed that all I did was argue with my parents, have family meetings, watch T.V. or play video games. I was only allowed to talk to my mom when she called. In other words, I was going through a tough time with the authority that God has set over me.

I know that everyone has rough times with their parents. Parents make mistakes the same as kids do. They are not perfect, but I must still honor them. In my study of this commandment I have only found one reason for not obeying it – if I am being led away from God. Other than that, there is no acceptable reason for me to dishonor my parents.

You may be wondering why I stated this commandment as "honor your father and mother . . . and B.J." Mainly because this is how B.J. taught me, but more importantly because this commandment not only teaches me to honor my mother and father, but also other authorities that have been placed over me. Government, teachers, pastors, and my elders are all authorities that God has placed over me, therefore, deserve my respect. I will strive to obey this commandment. I know at times I will fall, but I thank God He has given me Jesus to pick me back up.

There are many other things that I could talk about, but they said I only had to write a page, so that is all I’m doing. I know this is only the beginning of my instruction in my faith. I look forward to building my faith through worshiping in church, studying in Sunday school, and being involved in other church activities. I thank you for sharing in this day with me, and ask that you continue to pray for me as I grow in my faith.