There are some good old-fashioned things that we should keep doing, no matter how ultra-modern, nebulous, amoral, or “forward-thinking” the world has become.
Like having high work ethics. Respecting the value of persistence and hard work.
Maintaining high standards, not “sacramentalizing mediocrity.” Not doing work that’s shoddy, haphazard.
Like keeping our word, keeping our promises. Hence the sobering expression “word of honor.” Being trustworthy and reliable. Not flaking out on people.
Like being on time. Respecting people by being on time. Stop making excuses about the traffic and your kids making last-minute requests, etc.
Like paying your debts, as promised. Paying your amortizations on time. Not spending like crazy on leisure travels and dining out – that you cannot afford because you’re still in debt.
Like repaying a debt of gratitude –not forgetting who helped us when we needed it most, a supporter who helped us succeed. And repaying them, in whatever small way we can, to show our gratitude.
Like being truthful. Honest. Admitting our mistakes. Making up for them, giving recompense whenever we can. Not lying, covering up, or worse – blaming someone else for our faults and failures.
Like dealing honorably with others. Respecting their feelings. Not exploiting or abusing or mistreating people just because they are helpless family members, or employees, or staff under us.
Like giving credit where credit is due – even if it means you don’t get much of the glory.
Like respecting our elders. Seeking counsel and listening to the wise and successful ones.
The ones who kept their marriages and families together while accomplishing much.
Like taking care of our parents in their old age – this is a BIG ONE.
We should take care of our elderly parents no matter what: without lies and excuses, without delay, without passing on the responsibility to someone else. If there’s a will, there’s a way.
I was a very “modern” 22-year-old who took care of my mom till she went to heaven when she was 92 years old.
When my (first and last) boyfriend showed signs of wanting to marry me, I told him bluntly: “I must warn you. For whoever wants to marry me, it’s buy one, take one. He should take responsibility for my mom, too, because I’m an only child.”
My boyfriend, God bless his heart, heaved a sigh of relief and flashed his awesome smile.
He said, “Of course! I’ll take care of you and your mom.” But I found it weird that he looked so relieved.
So I asked him, “Why do you look so relieved?!!”
To which he replied (still smiling), “Oh. I thought that the ‘something important’ you were going to tell me was that you are already engaged and matched to marry someone.” (My mom was Chinese, you see. My Chinese cousins were being matched and married. My boyfriend knew that.)
So, when I got married, my husband and I took care of my mom for 36 years. She lived with us, had her own big, air-conditioned room, and our drivers would take her where she wanted to go (within reason, of course). One time she wanted to bring one of our cars and a driver to drive her to Bicol to attend a relative’s wake- and my husband said, “No, mommy. No.” And that was that. She had to respect my husband as the head of our family.
My Chinese aunts gave me one final “command” on my wedding day: “Take care of your mom. She has to live with you.” And of course, she did. For 36 years she lived with us. Up to her last morning on earth, she lived with us – while the ambulance crew and the doctor were waiting to bring her to the ER.
That’s old-fashioned commitment. It’s a commitment that shows our obedience to God who commands us to honor our parents. In return, He promises to reward us:
“Honor your father and mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)
That’s one old-fashioned command of God with countless old-fashioned rewards that my husband and I are enjoying immensely until now.
Bottom line, it surely pays to keep old-fashioned values that keep us obedient to God, no matter how modern this world has become.
