I’ve been blessed in my life, and I know that. I have health. I have a job that I love. I have a wonderful family around me. And I have had (and still have) good parents. So when the author of Proverbs talks about a father’s and mother’s instruction, I pay attention and know that it is intended for good.

Listen, children, to a father’s instruction,
   and be attentive, that you may gain insight;
for I give you good precepts:
   do not forsake my teaching.
When I was a son with my father,
   tender, and my mother’s favorite,
he taught me, and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words;
   keep my commandments, and live.
Get wisdom; get insight: do not forget, nor turn away
   from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
   love her, and she will guard you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
   and whatever else you get, get insight.
Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;
   she will honor you if you embrace her.
She will place on your head a fair garland;
   she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”
Proverbs 4:1-9

“Get wisdom … Get insight … do not turn away from the words of mouth.” says the wise parent. Both of my parents are believers in Christ (and they are also both elders in the Presbyterian Church). If they aren’t around to instruct me on how to live and how to love, I can look to the words that have long guided them in the pages of the scriptures.

Proverbs encourages us to read further and get wisdom.

Prayer

God, Our Father, as I open the pages of the Bible, let Your words be the wisdom and insight that I seek, through Christ our Lord. Amen.