Practical Parenting from Proverbs Chapter 3 Continued
"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act." Proverbs 3:27-28. I need to do a better job of remembering this verse; it kind of goes hand in hand with what we are told in Ephesians 6:4,"Fathers do not exasperate your children." It's a good thing it doesn't say, "Mothers do not exasperate your children" because I know I exasperate my children all the time.
But verses 27 and 28 did get my attention and get me thinking. How often do I withhold good when it is in my power to act? I have to admit I squirmed a little at this one, because this is often times one of those "omission" mistakes, not a "commission" mistake. Of course the other part of that verse qualifies the recipient as one who "deserves" it, and that is a subjective call. But it really isn't that hard to add a word of encouragement, a smile, an affirmation or eye contact when listening to someone.
But this verse gets to the heart of the bigger stuff, too. I have a friend who has had a really hard life and is working very hard, in school full time, single mom, raising a family, and working. I saw her earlier today and she looks exhausted. We have chosen to help her attend school and help financially in other ways when she hits a brick wall. Not everyone understands this, so the verses from Proverbs are a helpful response. Helping her family is not preventing me from putting food on our table, and is making a huge difference to her family. In the meantime I know my kids are observing the extension of help which I hope is a lesson in selflessness.
I think a big reason we omit the help when it is in our power to do so because we are racing around trying to do too much and we are way too busy. I know I fall into this category too. Verses 28 and 29 continues, "Do not say to your neighbor, 'Come back later; I'll give it to you tomorrow'-when you now have it with you." These verses pretty much mandate that we get into the present tense of life. So slow down, listen for God's voice and start being a conduit of God's grace.
But verses 27 and 28 did get my attention and get me thinking. How often do I withhold good when it is in my power to act? I have to admit I squirmed a little at this one, because this is often times one of those "omission" mistakes, not a "commission" mistake. Of course the other part of that verse qualifies the recipient as one who "deserves" it, and that is a subjective call. But it really isn't that hard to add a word of encouragement, a smile, an affirmation or eye contact when listening to someone.
But this verse gets to the heart of the bigger stuff, too. I have a friend who has had a really hard life and is working very hard, in school full time, single mom, raising a family, and working. I saw her earlier today and she looks exhausted. We have chosen to help her attend school and help financially in other ways when she hits a brick wall. Not everyone understands this, so the verses from Proverbs are a helpful response. Helping her family is not preventing me from putting food on our table, and is making a huge difference to her family. In the meantime I know my kids are observing the extension of help which I hope is a lesson in selflessness.
I think a big reason we omit the help when it is in our power to do so because we are racing around trying to do too much and we are way too busy. I know I fall into this category too. Verses 28 and 29 continues, "Do not say to your neighbor, 'Come back later; I'll give it to you tomorrow'-when you now have it with you." These verses pretty much mandate that we get into the present tense of life. So slow down, listen for God's voice and start being a conduit of God's grace.
posted by www.kathypride.com at
12:05 PM
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