Listen to Your Dad
Proverbs 4:1-13

This past week we had the privilege of listening to Pastor Stu talk about how we need to listen to our Fathers, as this is a command given by Solomon in Proverbs chapter 4. The theme of how we parent our kids is woven throughout this week’s sermon as Pastor Stu describes a shift in parenting style from one that guides to one that protects. What his experience has shown him is that parents of today do not allow their children to experience the consequences of their actions, but rather to protect them from such experiences. This is not a good thing.
            The focus is on verse 6 which says: “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.” Pastor Stu goes on to explain that it is not just about protecting our kids from certain failures or let-downs, but to embrace the actions they make and walk through it with them so that they might learn and gain wisdom and understanding through it. We as adults are to do the same.
            This idea carries forward into adulthood as we too like to protect ourselves from certain consequences. We blame shift, or we lie in order to side step any negative feelings or consequences that our actions may result in. The truth is that it is healthy for us as human beings to embrace the emotions and the lessons learned from the consequences of our actions so that we may come out of them as much wiser individuals.
            We are called to pursue wisdom from our Fathers and from others around us. The text talks specifically about how we need to listen to our Father; both our Father on earth as well as in Heaven, but we also have a responsibility to learn from those who have preceded us. We need to become people who never stop growing in wisdom and understanding, but the fear is that if we stop listening to those around us who possess great wisdom, we will forever feel distant from our God and never be able to FULLY experience all that He has for us.
            May the Lord bless you this week and may he draw you near to Himself and into all wisdom for the glory of his Kingdom, Amen.