Thoughts for the Day

Folly is a joy to one who has no sense,
but a person of understanding walks straight ahead.
Without counsel, plans go wrong,
but with many advisers they succeed.
Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord,
but gracious words are pure.
Those who are greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households,
but those who hate bribes will live.
The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer,
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.
The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
and good news refreshes the body.
The ear that heeds wholesome admonition
will lodge among the wise.
Those who ignore instruction despise themselves,
but those who heed admonition gain understanding.
The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and humility goes before honour.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

A baby doesn't know what is safe to put in their mouth, and so it is that sometimes small children are taken to hospital because they've swallowed something like a bead or a small piece of Lego. It's a nightmare for the parent as the child may need a scan and if the item can be seen they must hope it passes safely through the child's body. A small child will not understand a parent's warning about danger, but things don't necessarily get any better as they get older. Parents can say "Don't ride your bike without wearing a helmet", since they know accidents will occur and it's much more dangerous if no helmet is worn. Or they can warn constantly about safety when crossing a road, but that moment when the child dashes out from behind a parked car to get to their friend on the opposite side of the road may still occur.

Proverbs teaches us that we should never believe we know it all, but should be wise enough to learn from, and listen to, others who have more experience or more wisdom. All great people have advisers and no-one is too great that they don't need to consult others. However we do need to choose those advisers wisely, otherwise we become no better than the Emperor in Hans Christian Anderson's story of the 'Emperor and his new clothes' (see the whole story under 'Further Thoughts')

As well as learning from those who brought us up, we must learn above all from our Lord Jesus - through reading the Gospel stories and taking on board His advice and His warnings. But we also need to take all our joys and woes to Him, for when we open our hearts to Him we begin to learn, for He will respond, and somehow amazing 'God coincidences' begin to happen.

Lord Jesus Christ,
we were given one mouth but two ears,
in order that we might listen more
and speak less.
May we listen to those who want to help us,
and gain understanding
from those who offer counsel.
Ultimately though may we learn from You,
and place all our trust in You.
Amen.