Thoughts for the Day

* Stained glass window of King David.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all day long.

Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!

Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

A constant refrain from parents to children is "Don't do that....or.... X, Y or Z will happen!" Whether this is "Don't slide on the ice on the pond, it's liable to break!" or "Wear a hat because the sun's hot and you'll burn!" it makes no difference. The parents have learned their lesson, and know many of life's pitfalls, whereas the children think they know the pitfalls but in fact have to learn the hard way by experiencing them.

As we saw last week (Teaching and Learning: 1) there are different ways of learning - falling through the ice is definitely the kinesthetic way, and not the easiest way to learn. Sometimes we just need to want to learn - to be open to learning. The writer of Psalm 25, (David), is open to receiving instruction from God. He wants to be taught in the ways of God, and he waits in quiet trust, believing that God will not hold his disobedience and sin against him, but will teach him.

We too need to be willing to learn from God - to open our minds to new thoughts and new ways, and to wait in simple trust that He will teach us if we are ready to learn.

Heavenly Father,
as Your children
help us to be open
to learning from You.
Teach us to wait on You
with patience and trust,
and when You speak
may we obey Your word.
Amen.