Proverbs 3: 1-12

Good Morning! I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend. I am working on getting a few new pages added up top. One for prayer requests, one for important Bible verses, and another explaining true Christianity.
I do all of my blog work at night and my little guy has not been behaving about bed the last several days. He's had some late nights, so while I have started working and planning these pages, they are not ready to be published yet. I am sorry. I am alone with the little guy all this week while my husband is out of town so I cannot make a promise to get them done until next week but I will sure try!

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Today as we read we will notice several instructions and reasons for those instructions. Depending on the version that you read, it might say, "Do this..," and then later "So that". Or your version may say "Then" instead of "so". As you read, note the instructions and the principle behind the instruction.

Read Proverbs 3: 1-2. Here is the first instruction given and the reason why. Note it in your journal.

Read Proverbs 3: 3-4. Here is the second instruction. Do the same with these verses and continue on through verse 12, reading and noting the instruction and the reason behind it.

My husband and I differ on disciplinary methods. I am sure that surprises you. (NOT!). He believes that when he gives an instruction, it is to be carried out immediately, no questions asked. And I agree. There is a reason that God gave men the role of head of household; and I need to respect him even in disciplinary methods. My children need to know that instruction needs to be carried out without asking why. If anything, it is about them learning respect.

 But there are many times that when I give an instruction, I also include a reason for that instruction. I think that God also created women to be softer in our discipline for a reason. Kids naturally want to know why. That is how they learn. In fact, I want to know why. That is how I learn.

 When Solomon wrote this passage, he must have asked his wife for input or something (*grin*) And speaking of the reasons, aren't they wonderful--reasons like--Finding favor with God and man, peace, healing, refreshment...who wouldn't want these things?

Of all the instructions listed, what is the hardest one for you to do? You may share if you like but you don't have to.

 Mine is "Trust the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding". I am a laid back kind of person, but I am wishy washy in my trusting God with things. I don't worry about major things that others might worry about. Tornadoes, natural disasters, crimes, murders...I just have always had the mindset that when it's time for me to die, then I will and there is nothing I can do to stop it. If it's not the time that God has appointed for my death, then I won't. But then I get into the little things, the day to day things, and I forget that I need to not lean on my understanding; but rather on God's.

 For an example, I'll use my son's sleep habits. The baby doesn't need much sleep. He has always slept well below the average hours for a child his age. It's frustrating, maddening even at times, tiring, and very trying to my patience. But God must have a reason for it. Perhaps Stephen will work in a field someday (we are praying preacher or mission field) that he just won't have much time to sleep. So God created him to be able to deal with that. Or perhaps the reason Stephen doesn't sleep is for me to keep my focus on what is important on the very limited free time I have each day. No time to waste means to not have time wasters. (Um...I fail in this area.)

In close, review Verse 12, and remember that when God disciplines you it is out of love; just the same as when you discipline your children.