Gratitude in parenting - and why parents are deserving of nothing in return

 Many parents believe they are deserving of honor and respect merely for being a parent, and thus having all the rights in the world. The fact of the matter is that parents are deserving of nothing in relation to their children, and neither are the adults who point to them in this regard. "Respect your parents" from a relative is actually not the Christian way to go. Respect is earned in life.

Every single parent and adult is guilty for merely existing in relation to a child, as are to be struck with the reverent terror and fear for the every vulnerable need of a child, leading to conviction of a parent to surrender to God through one's child, being in submission to the needs and interests of children as their enemy, seeking to be their friend, just as mankind is owning up to His crimes of existence against God, with parents paying due penance towards children, submitting to the child as to God, with parents doing good works for children, just for the sake of doing good works for children, with parents being deserving of nothing in return, grateful for the fact that children respect them and follow their example. This is Christian love, and is denoted in the New Testament by the Greek root word αγαπαο (Latin: agapao) with love being a form of submission to your neighbor, in side-by-side format.

The Fifth Commandment is stated in full in Colossians 3:20-21, denoting mutual submission. Paul wrote to the Colossian church:

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they become discouraged.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: erethizo) and refers to providing custody, or secure, vulnerable rest and trust in the love and grace of parents, with children giving orders instead of taking them, with children feeling free to blatantly demand things from parents, no matter how tone-deaf the demand is, with parents diagnosing the demand, and then supplying needs based on the nature of the demand, with children owing nothing in relation to parents, yet nonetheless showing gratitude and thanksgiving by emulating the example and momentary instruction of parents, with parenting being based on care, with children picking up good morals through the example of children. The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and literally translates to "stirring up" anger and upset in children, namely "stirring the pot" in terms of a child's emotions, referring to the offenses under the Law, namely the assault and battery laws that protected children then, and not just adults. Basically, the slightest of personal offense perceived by the child is an offense, and is child abuse, regardless of the secular laws, including physical and mental punishment such as spanking, time-out/false imprisonment, grounding, loss of privileges, or any other measure that takes away from the child's quality of life or perceived safety and emotional security.

Parents in the biblical context were grateful, meaning loved their children, provided for them, and didn't ask anything in return. Parents did not bring up arguments of "respect me, for I am your parent" to minor children, meaning if children were too demanding, parents used introspection and soul searching to change their way. Parenting norms then were based in the concept of selflessness and martyrdom, with parents sacrificing for their children and taking up the cross in the Early Christian church communities like Christ did for His children, meaning the elect which include attachment parents. Parents in ancient Israel and adjoining churches did not demand or want anything in return for being parents, but sacrificed their time and service selflessly, not expecting even a "thank you" in return from their child or anyone, with parenting being seen then as a thankless job.  

The depraved and entitled parents will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them burn and rot in the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death, which is Satan's final resting place! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!