Today’s Reading: Proverbs 4 – 6
Intelligent people are always ready to learn.
Their ears are open for knowledge. — Proverbs 18:15
Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. — Proverbs 19:20
I remember like it was yesterday bringing our daughter home from the hospital. I prayed God would teach me how to be a good parent. And then being a parent of a toddler was a whole new experience of calling on God for patience and wisdom. I learned a new level of trust when I dropped my daughter off for her first day of school, or when I let her go on her first date. Then there was the day I handed her the keys to the car, or later watched her drive off to college. Being a parent is an incredible experience, but definitely one that leaves us feeling unequipped and unprepared at times. I am so thankful for godly advice and words of wisdom.
Solomon, son of David, had quite a few words of wisdom for both parents and children in his book of Proverbs. He gave us great advice on both how to be the child and how to be the parent – words that never grow useless.
LISTEN TO YOUR PARENTS
My child, listen when your father corrects you.
Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
What you learn from them will crown you with grace
and be a chain of honor around your neck. — Proverbs 1:8-9
My children, listen when your father corrects you.
Pay attention and learn good judgment, for I am giving you good guidance.
Don’t turn away from my instructions.
For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.
My father taught me,
“Take my words to heart.
Follow my commands, and you will live.
Get wisdom; develop good judgment.
Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
Don’t turn back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
Love her, and she will guard you.
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
If you prize wisdom, she will make you great.
Embrace her, and she will honor you.
She will place a lovely wreath on your head;
she will present you with a beautiful crown.”
My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will live a long, good life.
I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths.
When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble.
Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go.
Guard them, for they are the key to life. — Proverbs 4:1-13
DISCIPLINE YOUR CHILDREN
You will say, “How I hated discipline!
If only I had not ignored all the warnings!
Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers?
Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors? – Proverbs 5:12-13
My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
Keep their words always in your heart.
Tie them around your neck.
When you walk, their counsel will lead you.
When you sleep, they will protect you.
When you wake up, they will advise you.
For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light;
their corrective discipline is the way to life. — Proverbs 6:20-23
Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children.
Those who love their children care enough to discipline them. — Proverbs 13:24
Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. — Proverbs 15:5
A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding
than a hundred lashed on the back of a fool. — Proverbs 17:10
Discipline your children while there is hope.
Otherwise you will ruin their lives. — Proverbs 19:18
Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. — Prov. 22:6
ENJOY BEING A PARENT
Listen to your father, who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.
Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.
The father of godly children has cause for joy.
What a pleasure to have children who are wise.
So give your father and mother joy!
May she who gave you birth be happy. — Proverbs 23:22-25
Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad. — Proverbs 29:17
Sometimes we feel unprepared for the new parenting situation before us. They say parenthood doesn’t come with an instruction manual, and that is true, but God has given us some great instruction in His word and He is offering to give us wisdom. God wants to bless us through our children while also using us to be a blessing to them. He has a plan for each life and He is molding them into the person He intends for them to be.
Lord, we are listening. Lord, we are asking for wisdom. Lord, we are sincerely willing to be taught by you. Please give us the courage to parent as you lead us. Amen.