Apply God’s Wisdom
OPENING PRAYER:
Lord, thank you for today. I pray that you would help me be still and quiet today before your presence. I give to you my family and ask for wisdom from the word to be an excellent parent.
READ:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:7-11 (NIV)
REFLECT:
The phone rings and on the other end is a neighborhood parent, teacher from your child’s school, or a police officer. “Are you the parent of (insert your child’s name here)?” the serious voice asks. Your heart drops to your stomach as you say, “yes I am”. Nothing good comes from the mouth of this person on the other end of the phone without divine intervention. At that moment, it is impossible for you to know what to say or do or think next. It is truly a time to listen and pray. Good news is that we are right where God wants us…. desperate for him. Better news – he is more than excited and ready to answer and intercede. “….. do not lean on your own understanding…. submit to him.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) “Ask…. seek…knock…” (Matthew 7:7). He is ready to “give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Don’t miss this exclamation mark there. He is truly ready and excited to give.)
APPLY:
When you are tempted to go to defense, denial or anger mode when your child makes a bad choice, instead try to stop, drop (to your knees) and roll (out the quick prayer for wisdom). James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” You will be blessed if you do, and that is a promise from a “good, good father”.
CLOSING PRAYER:
God, so many times I run to my own wisdom when there is a promise of godly wisdom right at the door if I will just trust you and knock. Help me today to be prepared ahead of time to come to you and trust you for wisdom and good gifts when life’s “special little moments” come along. Amen