Proverbs 22:1 begins with a verse that we have heard numerous times: A good name is to be chosen rather than riches. What's in a name? We all start off with a "good name" but can we keep it? In your mind what constitutes a "good name" anyway? Honesty, integrity, good character, high standards, a good reputation? Surely these are to chosen. Can you "clear" your name if you fall into a trap of dishonesty, bad character, loose morals? I would dare say it is much harder to clean a slate that has been stained than to protect and guard your name to begin with. It only takes a moment or a wrong decision to ruin a good reputation. Decide to make your name one that is synonymous with integrity and honor. Leave behind a legacy of which your children and grandchildren will be proud.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way that he should go . . . Oh how we mothers and fathers cling to that verse! Training up our children - a blessing and a full time job. Yes, it means to "train them up" to accept, love, and honor Christ. To be wise and make good decisions. Deut. 6:6 says, Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
I also believe it means that we should search, watch and observe the special strengths and talents that our children are born with and the individual abilities they possess and try to encourage and guide them toward those things. It could be music, art, leadership, writing, sports, whatever. We have all seen parents who "live" through their children's sports or other activities - and it's not a pretty picture for those on the outside looking in and certainly not for those children living with it.
When I think of Proverbs, I automatically think of good advice, wise instruction, training and warnings. Here in Proverbs 22-23 we have the first nineteen of "Thirty Sayings of the Wise." Some of these "Sayings" or "do nots" remind us not to rob the poor; make friendships with angry men; sign for others' debts; toil to become rich; change or move boundaries; waste words on the foolish. They instruct us to not let "rich and powerful" people influence us or intimidate us. If you were to eat at the table with a "regular Joe" would you behave differently than if you were at the White House with the President? Do we sometimes try and impress those around us who we believe are more powerful than we are? Or those we know that can "do something" for us? Remember to "do unto others" no matter what their status in life.
And one of the last pieces of advice - listen to your father who gave you life. How precious are the words of our fathers. If when we are young, we would only listen to their sage advice and heed their instructions! How much easier life would be! But sometimes the young do not listen, and ultimately they pay the price. Let's keep "reminding" them what is important while we have a chance. That's why Solomon keeps using the phrase "my son" - urging his son, and ours, to listen to their father. Not only our earthly father, but our Heavenly Father as well.
Ms. Barbara, what a great post and great advice from a lady who has lived most of this out! :) Proverbs 22:2 jumped out at me today.
ReplyDelete"Rich and poor have this in common:
The LORD is the Maker of them all."
Our world today (and even some religions) want to "rank" people. We are all the same in God's eyes. Lord help me to see others as you do. And, Barbara, as you said, to "do unto others as I would have them do unto me."
I know many parents cling to the promise, "teach a child in the ways he should go and he will not depart from it." My sister has a son who was saved at an early age but as a teen rebelled and got into trouble. She holds fast to that verse that he will one day come back.
ReplyDeleteWe do tend to rank people not only here is the US but probably more so in some foreign countries like India. I have tried to teach my children when they was growing up that it is not what is on the outside that is important but what is on the inside. I hope and pray that I will always look at people that way.
Barbara, you offer some wonderful advice for those still raising our children. Maybe that job never ends?!?!?! I like the advice of looking for natural abilities and gifts and cultivating those. And, yes, in our first t-ball season, we experienced parents pushing for perfection of their young children.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree that a good name/reputation is easier to protect than to reclaim after it's been damaged.
There are so many good words in these chapters... I'm letting the water clean my basket some more today :)
Mrs. Barbara - you brought out some REALLY great points in your post! In Pastor Chris' Wednesday night class that just ended last week, we were discussing at length the subject of seeing the gifts that God has given to our children and creating a home environment where our children can cultivate these gifts so that they are used for His glory. We need to see VERY early what God has given them and be diligent in helping them develop those gifts through a loving, structured, disciplined, fun, safe, and Godly home environment. I think this is one of the reasons I like to teach young children so much. I love to look at each of them and see what God has given them and watch as they discover these gifts and develop them. Part of my job as a teacher is to help them do this in the school environment so that they are getting what they need at home AND at school!!!!
ReplyDeleteBarbara-The Proverbs have meant so much to me this month. Investing in young people's lives is what it is all about. We have to give them true and clear guidelines through our words and actions. Unconditional love and firm discipline are keys to a child's success. We must also be constantly praying for them daily. Lord, help me to ferverently pray for the students in my class. Help me steer them in the right direction with wisdom from your Word.
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