True Wisdom

The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding. Job 28:28

Wisdom and understanding, this is what young Solomon asked for when faced with ruling the nation. Of all the things he could ask of God, young King Solomon asked for wisdom. The quest for wisdom is found in the "fear" of the Lord. This Hebrew word for fear (found in Job 28:28) is Yir'ah meaning respect, reverence, piety.

But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? It is hidden from the eyes of all humanity. Even the sharp-eyed birds cannot discover it. 28:20-21
God alone understands the way to wisdom; he knows where it can be found. 28:23

When faced with intense tribulation, Job's friends came to his bedside and implored him to repent of sinful ways. His friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, felt that Job's affliction was the discipline of Almighty God. In Job's weakest moment they were actually giving him more pain and adding to his torment. The company of Job's friends must have been much like sitting with a group of "know-it-alls". One "know-it-all" can be enough, can you image three!
Yet, Job knew his own heart and blameless position. The things his friends were saying made no sense! When reading through the book of Job I can't help but wonder why his friends didn't seek wisdom before counseling him. This is a good lesson for us all 1) Be careful of whom you listen to and 2) seek wisdom before giving counsel. You might have your heart in the right place but your council may steer a person in the wrong direction.

The Woman at Walmart

Saturdays always seem busy; the day isn't long enough for my to-do list. Prioritizing the list helps. On the way to the feed store with my husband, we stopped to mail a birthday gift to my mom, I called a friend while he was loading feed on the truck (this takes time, male bonding time at the feed store, lol) and we swapped plans for the rest of the day. While he and our son were going to be banding calves, I was going to finish running errands.
Of course, the errands started with stopping by my daughters house. This is not on the way, by any means; yet a priority on the list. Visiting family is always a pleasure. Our grand-daugther is growing so fast! Once she settled in for a nap, my afternoon of errands began.
The trip to Walmart is about 45 minutes, giving me some wonderful alone time. As much as some dislike being alone, I treasure the moments of peace. The quiet time on the road, listening to my favorite CD's and pondering thoughts fill my time. The trip was for the most part, uneventful. Yet, while in line to pay, a young couple came up behind me. Overhearing their conversation was unavoidable. The young man (maybe 23 - 25) was berating the young woman. He was commenting on her "attitude" and threatening to make her walk home.
My heart began to break; I felt her pain. As a former wife of an abusive relationship, I noticed her sink further down into her coat. She wouldn't raise her head and her eyes focused on the floor. I almost dropped my head too, but suddenly remembered I am no longer afraid. I no longer live a life like that. Not knowing what to do, I just looked him in the eye as he tried to stare me down. My thoughts were...no, I'm not going to stay out of it, you brought it out into public for all to see. He decided to change lines. I said nothing.
The way home was much different. My heart was truly burdened for the young woman as I prayed for her on the way home. Why didn't I do more? Why didn't I tell her that I would give her a way home? As I shared the story with my husband, he felt that my reaction was appropriate and that if I had said something, it might have made it worse for her. In my heart, I know he is probably right. So...here's praying for them both.

Weathering the Storms

Building your house on the sand or on the rock determines how you will weather the storm. Storms will definitely come, there is no way around it. Yet, how you weather the storm is really your choice. You can be proactive and build your house on the rock or you can take the easy route and build upon the sand. When making choices, look not at what is easier but think with the future in mind. Our choices don't just have an effect on us, but inevitably affect others. Are we being pro-active or re-active.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." Matthew: 7:24-27 (NIV)

When viewing others build in the sand, it is frustrating. When the rains come down, watching them fall is heartwrenching. I wish that I could simply serve a cup of strength or insight. Yet we learn by making mistakes.

My Scripture Verse for 2009

Recently, I reading MaryBeth Whalen's blog. She mentioned her verse for the upcoming year and encouraged others to post their verse for the year. All I could think of was simply, Wow. Why didn't I think of that? Last year was really rough, each of us experienced a stay at the hospital. From a sprained wrist to surgury and disease. We experienced the loss of one of our dear babies. Yet at the same time it held joy's and blessings sent from heaven with new births both spiritual and physical.

During our Christmas break, I've had time to catch up on some reading and found a common theme in each book. Relationships...they mean a lot. A relationship with our Lord helps us to create other relationships...good relationships. This is how we learn to love, to encourage, to trust others.

Keeping all these things in mind, I stumbled upon my verse for 2009. It's found in Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)

Thanks, MaryBeth, what a wonderful idea!