Develop? Yes, Develop!
Get Wisdom; Develop Good Judgment
Proverbs 4:5 (NLT)
I have read this verse many times. Each time I would continue on to the next verses thinking, “that is nice, good advice”. I did not stop to soak in what God wanted me to hear. Wish I would have stopped to hear a lot sooner, might have prevented many unnecessary arguments with my teenagers when they were still living at home.
Well, I heard it today loud and clear.
I have been receiving a verse of the day from K-Love Radio for many years now. Some verses I save to write down later in my journal, others I delete immediately. Proverbs 4:7 was sent and for some reason I saved it maybe to remind me to “get wisdom” not thinking anything of the judgment piece.
This is what I read today again as I was purging my inbox.
Proverbs 4: 7 (NLT) “Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do develop good judgment”. I paused and reread the verse again, and again, and again. The word “develop” jumped right out at me and with new clarity in meaning. Lets read the verse again:
“Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do develop good judgment”.
So here is what the conversation with God in my own head kind of looked like:
Me: You want me to develop good judgment? It can’t just happen?
God: No you need to develop it.
Me: When I think of my kids “developing” good judgment, it scares me to death! Have you seen some of the decisions they have made in the past?
God: I know but it is part of my process.
Me: I have to let them live and learn?
God: Yes, Remember what I promised you… Psalm 37:24 “though he may stumble he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand”
Me: Okay, I hear you. I am still uncomfortable, but I hear you.
As a mom, I have tried to do everything I can to protect my kids. I planned ahead, I bought items I know they would need well before the seasons hit, I monitored who they spent their time with when they were younger, I tried to create a safe environment for them to grow in and “develop”. Not realizing in creating the safe environment it also didn’t allow them room to “develop” good judgment.
Letting your kids learn from their own choices is not easy!
I have tried to hold on to them thinking if they would just “listen to our advice” they would be safe. I am beginning to slowly, very slowly learn how to let go and let God. I know it is not easy to watch your child drive for the first time, go on a date with a person you don’t know, hang out with friends until late in the night not knowing where they are or when they are coming home and let them make choices about the path of their lives after high school graduation. Parenting is not easy, but…
I am learning how to give my children back to God and trust he has a plan for their lives.
My job of parenting is not over but it does take on a different shape, as my “kids” are now young independent adults. I am proud of them. One is currently on the mission field and the other a Marine. I am a very proud mom!
Still, hearing their plans, watching them make financial decisions, seeing them get hurt, frustrated and struggle with decisions they made is not easy, not easy. However, I trusted them to God and he is going to “develop” them a whole lot better than I ever could. I see that now. I still pray daily they “get wisdom” and through their choices, they “develop good judgment”. And for me as their parent I want the wisdom and good judgment to know when to step in and when to just support them.
It is a journey being a parent. Praise the Lord this part of my journey is just beginning.
Proverbs 4: 5-7 (NLT)
(5) Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. (6) Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. (7) Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And, whatever else you do, develop good judgment.