The fifth commandment tells children to obey their parents (Ephesian 6:1). When we hear the word “obey”we think of control. We think of a machine that does what we want when we turn on a switch. But obedience that comes from honor is not that way. It is not a machine. It is a decision to love and respect .I have realized that being obedient is about an attitude. In fact, it is like being a slave. In the world of teaching we have to learn to obey our principals, supervisors, experienced teachers and all people around us who knows better than we know. We have to learn from them even from their mistakes.
                To honor our superiors’ means we will want to make them look good by being good. We will try to make them successful in their efforts to help us to be successful. We must listen to their words. We must speak well of them, and look for ways to show them thanks and respect.
            I realized that through obeying and honoring not only my superiors but also my co-teachers and even the non- teaching personnel the super hectic life of teachers can be so easy. Love and respect our parents, not a mechanical agreement with their authority. It is not always easy to yes especially if you think you cannot do that something. That is why I always keep on my mind the advice from Solomon, the wise man:”My son obeys the commandment of your father. Do not forget the teaching of your mother. Bind them always on your heart. Tie them on your neck. When you awake, they will talk to you” (Proverbs 6:20-22). Solomon here is talking about an attitude. To obey without an attitude is heavy and unpleasant work.
            The fifth commandment speaks to the children rather than the parents.  In our case it speaks to the teachers rather than the superiors. Our relationship with our superiors affects us. If we had no relationship with our superiors, that will affect us to. The affect may be good or bad, but it is strong. We cannot tell them how they should act. But we are responsible for our relationship with them. It is true that we cannot choose our superiors and change them. But the attitudes we have towards them depend on us. Our attitude helps us to be successful in life.

By: Rosalee Joy R. Maaño