The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.

I talked to somebody at work just going on parental leave for 6 weeks – so happy for them – and thought then how distant for me, it seems forever ago that I had my children, even if they and I am still “young”. I know my mom says that same thing. “Where does the time go?” !!!!

Looking at my daily devotion book, we are nearly halfway through the year, ALREADY! Unfathomable. 

My Facebook feed showed me memories of 10 years ago, my parents 50th wedding anniversary and party… (and I still have leftover gold plastic silverware thinking I will use it someday, haha).  What a BLESSING of our parents and grandparents to us!!! Love my mom and dad!

And what about those kids 10 years ago and now? Time flies!!! Cherish the days, even the long days, as the years are short!!! My son just drove to work, my daughter is doing her own thing… Blessed to be watching them grow. 

Solomon, wise Solomon, once said to his son: “For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. Then he taught me … Get wisdom, get understanding …. though it cost you all you have, get understanding.“

What classic advice straight from the Proverbs:

*”Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.”

**”The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”

*** And the best advice ever: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.“

We must keep track of living, not time. We must mark progress, not mark time. We should use up our wealth getting wise. And I should use up those golden pieces of silverware, give them away, there’s no reason I should let my kids pick up after me.  

The best thing to leave your kids is the memories of spending time with them IN LOVE. 

(And that’s the memory God wants with us too. Spending time not saving it.)

Amen

—

Proverbs 4

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”

Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.

Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it;  turn from it and go on your way. For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble. They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.