Day 22: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 22:6: Train children how to live right, and when they are old, they will not change.

Chuck Swindoll, a pastor and author, helped me understand this verse in an entirely new light some years ago. It seems that the word “train” literally means the “bending of a bow”. When archery makers would make a bow they would attempt to “bend” the “stick” as it was already inclined to be bend. They didn’t work again the woods natural characteristics. In keeping the stick’s characteristics in mind, they simply worked with how it was created.

I share that and hope it makes sense because as my own family concludes it’s “summer road trip” to San Francisco I am reminded constantly that all for of my children are shaped and “bent” differently. Spending a week in a car with three teenagers, a twenty-something, and a wife can put any man to the test (as can spending a week in a car with a man like me!). I’ve been reminded again this week that each one of my family has incredibly wonderful “bents” that I can either enjoy or attempt to break

My goal today is to enjoy – not break – the God given bents in the ones I love.

Day 21: Proverbs Road Tip

Proverbs 21:31: You can get the horses ready for battle, but it is the LORD who gives the victory.

It’s easy to assume that I have won the battles. It’s even easier to assume that I am RESPONSIBLE for the wins! I pray and then I set out to do all the winning. I worry about failing. I “plan around God”.

What I really need to do is just get my “horses” ready. God has given me abilities, knowledge, talents; it’s my responsibility to prepare and use those God given gifts. Those are the things that God uses to bring about victories in my life. But (and this is an important but)...but I must always realize that it is God who gives the victory. God is the One who takes our lives and arranges the circumstances for His plan.

I need to do my part – but attempting to manipulate either God or others is not my part.

I need to be focused on what I really can do and let God handle the rest. Anything less and I’m just fooling myself. I can manage my horses, but God manages the wins.

Day 20: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 20:22 Don’t say, “I’ll pay you back for the wrong you did.” Wait for the LORD, and he will make things right.

I have this saying, “I don’t get even...I get ahead.” I don’t know where I heard it, but I do know that that it’s stuck in my head. Why is it that I assume I actually have the power to get “even” with people? Why do I even try? When I focus on what others have done to me (evil) I allow not only their actions to hurt me – but our history together to CONTROL ME.

A better approach to hurt is forgiveness and, what I call “shifting”. I let God take care of it. I shift the hurt and vengefulness that I feel onto Him. You see, God does a much better job at fixing such things than I ever will and while He is dealing with the wrongs others have caused me – I get to go on with my own life.

So I wait for the Lord and let Him make things right in His time and way.

Day 19: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 19:2 Enthusiasm without knowledge is not good. If you act too quickly, you might make a mistake.

“Look before you leap.” I was standing on a ledge overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge the other day. (Our family is in San Francisco this week touring and visiting my Dad and Brother.) It was amazing to see the fog roll over the Bridge and feel the power of the wind making it’s way through the “narrow” entrance to the San Francisco Bay. But I was careful, very careful. We were high up on a hill and the ocean and bay were far below us. One false move and I would have gone tumbling down the cliff. Needless to day, I was VERY careful.

Sometimes I am not so careful with my actions. I get excited and act too quickly. There is great wisdom in slowing down at times. Enthusiasm is great, but only when there is enough information to balance the excitement. I’m not afraid to make a mistake, I just want to avoid as many as possible.

While I stood on that hill the other day there were lots of warning signs and a few barriers in the way of danger. “Don’t cross here.” “No one beyond this point”. I would do well today to slow down and make sure I have the knowledge to match my enthusiasm.

Day 18: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 18:21 What you say can mean life or death. Those who speak with care will be rewarded.

“If I tell you, I’ll have to kill you!” I remember that phrase from some old movie. I love that line and I’ve quoted it a few times when someone has asked me a question. I thought it was funny whether they did or not. J

Sometimes, though, our words really can kill. What we say can build or destroy. Words really can hurt me (and my words can hurt others). I can speak God’s Words to others and lead them toward Eternal Life and relationship with Jesus, or I can speak my words selfishly and sent them in a wrong direction.

Today, I want to speak with care...today I want to speak words that will bring their own rewards.

Day 17: Proverbs Road Trio

Proverbs 17:22 A happy heart is like good medicine, but a broken spirit drains your strength.

One of the tragic realities of life is that most of us assume other people exist on this Earth to make us happy. We live our lives responding to other people’s actions, worry about other people’s motives, and generally allow other people to either “make us happy” or “break our spirits”.

Such a “world view” is totally false. OTHER PEOPLE DO NOT MAKE US HAPPY; WE MAKE OURSELVES HAPPY. We determine how we live with our feelings and thoughts, not other people! We choose. No matter how others act toward us, no matter what they say – we have the power over our own feelings, actions and thoughts.

But...and this is very important...we are NOT ALONE. The Bible tells us that the “fruit” (results) of God’s Spirit living inside us is JOY and PEACE, both of which are far more lasting than temporary happiness. Happiness never leads to joy, but joy can sustain happiness.

Today my goal is to not let the events of the day break me down, instead I wish to allow God’s Spirit to direct me into joy and peace...and then I will be happy!