You're Not On Your Own
Richard Daley, long-time mayor of Chicago, was not a man to be trifled with. Or so say those who worked for the iron-fisted politician. A story is told that one of Mayor Daley's speechwriters, who felt he had served his employer faithfully, desired a raise. One day he approached the mayor in hopes of convincing him that such service was deserving of additional compensation. But the mayor thought otherwise. He informed the young speechwriter, in no uncertain terms, that he was not about to pay him one more red cent in salary. In fact, the mayor added, he should count it a privilege to be working for such a great leader. That should be compensation enough. Now the mayor was known for not reviewing his speeches before giving them. In fact, sometimes the first time the mayor read his speech was as he was delivering it. One day he stood before a large throng of his faithful constituents preparing to address them. The speech, which was several pages long, sat on the podium. He began to read. It was a powerful speech. All about how he, Richard Daley, would lead the city of Chicago in a new seventeen point plan to rid the city of all manner of waste and crime. He turned the page to begin reading the first of the seventeen points. But he paused. Silently he read these words on an otherwise blank sheet of paper -- "You're on your own now you great leader, you!" Raising kids can, at times, leave us feeling like Mayor Daley must have felt that day --desperately needing a plan, but feeling a bit clueless as to what the plan is. Fortunately, God has not left us at the parenting podium without a plan. His Word has great advice that is directly applicable to parents who want to raise godly kids. Proverbs in particular is full of wisdom that parents can pass on to their children. And so it should be. It was written, in large part, by the great "wisdom king" Solomon. In fact, he wrote the first nine chapters specifically to his son. When my kids were younger I decided to underline in my Bible specific verses in Proverbs that I felt would help give them special guidance in their lives. The book is written in such a way that each proverb stands on its own as a "chunk" of wisdom -- easily understood and remembered. So it's an easy book of the Bible for children to digest. But all of the verses are applicable to both parents and children. You may want to open the Book of Proverbs yourself and begin searching out those verses that would be particularly helpful for you and your children or grandchildren. You might even try writing them on slips of paper and placing them in your kids' lunch bags or on their pillows at night. The refrigerator door is another good spot for everyone to see them daily. At the end of this article are several of my favorites from Proverbs that you can print out and use throughout your house. There are, of course, hundreds more verses in this book of wisdom that have served as guides for both parents and children for thousands of years. So the next time you feel "speechless" when confronting the daunting task of child-rearing, open up the book of Proverbs. You're not on your own in your efforts to keep your kids on the path. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
Prov. 1:7
Prov. 2:6
Prov. 3:5-6
Prov. 3:9-10
Prov. 3:33