Proverbs: Points to Ponder

Kasey Johnson
www.smarter-moms.com

Each summer I try to choose a theme or goal for our family to work on together. This summer I'm challenging us to work through some of the scriptures ground in the book of Proverbs.

So for our Sunday Scripture Post I thought we could look at a few together that have really grabbed my attention and made me think.

I've begun to think about how truly straightforward and simply scripture can be when it comes to our life and heeding the wisdom and warnings found in the pages of our Bible.



My grandpa told me a story about how a truck driver helped him during a road trip. Back then they used CB radios to communicate and the truck driver noticed my grandpa's antenna. He radioed, "Gold cadillac, ya got your ears on?" To which my grandpa (in his super styling, HUGE gold Cadillac) replied, "Go ahead".

"I'm the tanker next to you. I'm going to slow down and you pull in front of me - there's danger up ahead."

"10-4"

My grandpa pulled in front of the truck, never questioning his intentions or information. About 2 miles down the road, in the lane my grandpa had previously beed driving in, was a huge chunk of road missing from the highway.

The truck driver must have been warned by others and felt compelled to share the information with the gold cadillac and in turn saved my grandpa's car from extreme damage and perhaps a terrible accident.

Here are some of the Proverbs our family is working through this summer. I hope you find encouragement and knowledge in these words. Scripture is intended for growth, not guilt - so let's receive it in that manner.

12:1 "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid."

In our home "stupid" is what we call an "ugly word" and it isn't allowed. But obviously Solomon felt strongly about this point. According to this proverb if I love knowledge I will accept the discipline handed to me by my boss, my family, my friends and my God. I won't feel embarrassed or angry but instead embrace the knowledge that comes when discipline is received and applied. Lord knows I do NOT want to be stupid!

24:3-4 "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;

through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."

I love the 3 words in these verses: wisdom, understanding and knowledge. Too often I think we, as women, blend these three attributes into one. I can be wise, but lack understanding. I can have knowledge but lack wisdom. In order to have all three I need to be aware of who I am and what God is teaching me. Building a house, establishing it and filling it with treasures (people) is a HUGE calling. Whether I'm raising a family, caring for foster children or managing roommates I have an opportunity to practice these three words and see the fruit of my intentionality within the walls of my house.

16:3 "Commit to the LORD whatever you do and he will establish your plans."

Wow. So often I make plans and I move forward and THEN I ask God to bless me and my efforts. I need to seek the Lords guidance and commit my actions to him FIRST and then I will be able to watch Him move in my situation. I think God wants to help us and He wants us to succeed. But this verse challenges me to give my plans and commitments to the Lord so He can establish them. Whatever He establishes (even if it's a little different than my original idea) will thrive because the Creator of the universe is overseeing things - instead of me.

The Proverbs are like the truck driver who helped my grandpa. We read amazing advice but we have to choose to have our "ears on" and receive the information. Solomon wanted to best for his son and by writing down timeless and true statements he did just that.

I hope we continue to seek out scripture and truly hear the truth behind the words on the page. May we discover more than just trite sayings on a bumper sticker or wall hanging. We are women who can live out these Proverbs and model them for others. Let's strive for such a calling in our life!

Have a wonderful month!

Kasey