A Mom's Moment
"Praying the Proverbs"
by Grace Fox
What are proverbs? According to Webster's dictionary, they're "short, popular sayings expressing an obvious truth." Pithy tidbits, they are. Pearls of wisdom.
A first-grade teacher collected well-known proverbs and gave each student the first half of one saying. She asked them to complete the thought. Here are some choice answers:
- Better be safe than...punch a fifth-grader.
- Strike while the...bug is close.
- It's always darkest before...daylight savings time.
- Don't bite the hand that...looks dirty.
- A penny saved is...not much.
- Laugh and the whole world laughs with you. Cry and...you have to blow your nose.
From a little person's perspective, these revised proverbs teach simple secrets to successful living. Those of us more experienced smile at the innocence and wish matters could be so easy!
Life presents us with challenges but, thankfully, God has equipped us for come-what-may. He's given us an entire book of proverbs packed with obvious truth. Following them ensures success - from His perspective.
Take Proverbs 4:10-13, for example: "My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. I will teach you wisdom's ways and lead you in straight paths. If you live a life guided by wisdom, you won't limp or stumble as you run. Carry out my instructions; don't forsake them. Guard them, for they will lead you to a fulfilled life."
What does this pithy tidbit tell us? Simply put, it encourages us to follow God's rules as we run the race before us. Making choices based on His truth rather than on emotional feelings or society's standards enables us to run with confidence, minus limping or stumbling. When we listen to and act upon His instructions, we experience joy and contentment.
As a mom, I long for my children to grasp the truth of this proverb. It holds the key to living a God-honoring life in the midst of a society that screams for them to seek self-satisfaction through illicit sex, money, and power. If they succumb to society's lure, they'll follow crooked paths that lead to eventual destruction. But if they embrace this proverb's teaching, they'll learn wisdom and travel straight paths that lead to true fulfillment.
My greatest desire for my children is that they know and obey God and His commands. Do you share that desire for your children? If so, here's a prayer to intercede on their behalf:
"Father, I pray that _______ (insert your child's name) will listen and obey Your words. Teach him wisdom's ways and lead him in straight paths. May wisdom guide him and may he carry out Your instructions. Grant him a heart that clings to Your words, for they will lead him to a fulfilled life. Amen."
Perhaps your child has chosen to travel the crooked path for a time. If so, don't lose hope! Continue asking God to bring this proverb to reality, and trust Him to answer. After all, His desires for our children supersede all we could dare to dream.
