True Wisdom

Paul Sartarelli asks, "What choices do you have to make? Will you consider using the wisdom the Book of Proverbs can give or will you choose the road of folly?"

For the past couple of weeks, our church has tackled the question as to how to use wisdom in making everyday decisions. Easier said than done.

"Let instruction and knowledge mean more to you than silver or the finest gold. Wisdom is worth much more than precious jewels or anything else you desire." (Proverbs 8: 10-11)

Certainly instruction and knowledge can come from our family and friends, but they too are susceptible to the "materialistic/ it's all about me" society that we all live in. I guess I'm as guilty as anyone when it comes to squandering money. Should Cindy and I be putting even more into the kids college fund instead of buying "stuff" that more than likely will end up in next year's garage sale? Or are we doing enough when it comes to charity and helping those who certainly are not as fortunate with their health and financial situations? I suppose that you could begin to second guess just about every decision in life, but I really think that one of the primary lessons in Proverbs is just asking us to prioritize and make sure that our decisions are not always self-centered, but instead reach out to those whom we love.

Money isn't the only issue here, as well. How about the decisions we make when it comes to the words we speak towards each other? Mike Castelli nailed this topic when he essentially told us that sometimes...it's just best to remain quiet. Words can be hurtful, spiteful, and utterly damaging when we don't truly think about the ramifications that they can cause. What may sound like a harmless sarcastic remark may not be similarly received by everyone else...I am so guilty of this one!

Finally, wisdom certainly beckons us when it comes to our family: the time we spend with them, the counsel/ advice we offer them, and the "listening" that we award them. Josh, who was somewhat of a late bloomer when it came to speaking, now never shuts up. It's truly amazing that a little boy of 5 years of age has so much to say, and after a while, it's kind of easy to treat him as a static radio station...but truly some of my favorite times with my son is when we're sitting outside together on the park bench in the evening and he proceeds to tell me all the things going on in his young, fascinating life- and he knows that I'm truly listening to him. He told me the other day that heaven is a place where you pray to Jesus to help all the "bad people" in the world to behave themselves; it's also a place where, if you've been good, you can just chill and relax (his two new favorite words)...words of wisdom from the mouths of babes.

Choosing among the roads of wisdom and folly...easier said than done.