I thought I knew him. We spent our whole childhoods in the same one-stoplight town. I recognized his momma, knew what sports he played and what kind of music he listened to, but as I glance back in life’s rearview mirror it’s clear to me: I didn’t know a thing.
It’s taken twenty years of marriage to discover all I didn’t know; things like how he likes his eggs cooked, how his lips turn when he’s sad, and what keeps him awake with worry in the wee hours of the morning. Time and commitment have pressed our knowing past the surface, down into the deepest crevices of our hearts.
Solomon’s quest for knowledge about God was unmatched. With his jaw set and fists clenched, it seems he resolved to be wise. He stacked one fact about God on top of the next, yet a heart of wisdom seemed just out of reach (Ecclesiastes 7:27–28).
In the end, Solomon’s quest to know about God ended in cynicism (v.29) and sin (1 Kings 11:4). In contrast, history remembers Solomon’s father King David as a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). While Solomon sought to understand the ways of God, David sought to know the heart of God. The difference in their lives couldn’t have been more stark.
Solomon considered knowing God and bemoaned, “What exists is beyond reach and very deep. Who can discover it?” (Ecclesiastes 7:24). His father, however, marveled, “LORD, you have searched me and known me… Your works are wondrous, I know this very well ” (Psalm 139:1,14). Solomon’s wisdom, it seems, stayed on the surface, while David’s was pressed down into the deepest crevices of his heart.
For all the hours he spent searching and all the ink he spilled teaching, Solomon isn’t the poster child for wisdom. Not really. Instead, he shows us clearly that there’s a difference between knowing about God and actually experiencing Him in relationship, for Solomon’s head knowledge didn’t lead to lasting heart transformation.
How do we avoid Solomon’s mistake, accumulating facts about God like dusty books unread on the shelf? How can we guard against studying wisdom while acting like a fool? We remember this: Wisdom isn’t an item to collect but a Person to be cherished.
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87 thoughts on "What the Teacher Found"
I love the last sentence. Wisdom is a person to be cherished.
I loved how Erin said “ While Solomon sought to understand the ways of God, David sought to know the heart of God.” I truly want to read every book and devotional I can find. I am a curious person with lots of questions that need answers! But that desire for knowledge and answers isn’t what I need to prioritize! I need to first seek the heart of God and then seek knowledge of His ways. It isn’t about knowledge! I so needed this reminder.
I can relate to your envy of your husband and friend’s knowledge of the Word. I was recently asked by one of my church’s ministers to lead a small group and I’ve been feeling really insecure because although I know the Good News and what God wants for us, I never can remember specific lines of Scripture to back it up. Especially since there are people in Bible college in my group, it can make me feel very self-conscious. But we have to remember that God can use us just where we are. He didn’t pick us for our knowledge he picked us because he knows our potential
I pray for wisdom every day from the Lord. But prayer more so to understand who He is. And to understand through love. I want to be wise but to seek the wisdom He has ready for me and within His will.
I found this every encouraging. I am still young in my faith, having fully gone “all in” with Christ April of 2017 & my husband is a youth pastor, has been for 12 years. He went to Bible school & just knows so much. Similarly, his friends all went to seminary, are educators & have a wealth of knowledge, that I sometimes find myself envying. I compare myself to them & end up feeling like I know nothing. I desire to study and know as much as I can about Christ & his life, but this just reassured me of the importance of relationship. I will learn more over time, but God wants my heart right now & that’s an incredible thing I should rejoice in!
“Wisdom isn’t an item to collect, but a Person to cherish.” THIS!
I loved this devotion. It spoke so much to me and convicted a piece of my heart.
Amen. Relationship with God is so important.
I need to remember the last line of the devotional: wisdom isn’t something to know & collect, it is a Person to be cherished, loved, talked to, listened to, spend time with.
Amen, God is the only one who satisfies the longing heart. We can try to fill our hearts with other things, but truly nothing will ever satisfy. We need to be close to Him, continually depending upon Him all throughout our day.
I’m on this devotional a couple of days late, but the timing is still perfect… Today’s sermon talked a bit about John 15 and the concept of abiding and “living” with God versus visiting God. When we live somewhere and then travel somewhere else, and stay at a hotel for instance, we don’t tell people we live at the hotel. In the same way, where do we abide and live? Do our hearts, minds and spirits constantly rest and abide in Him or do we simply visit Him while in crisis, need prayers, or on Sundays at church? This is what our church talked about today and I found it so profound. And it syncs well with today’s teaching.
Amen. Knowing God is by living for Him, communicating with Him (not just having a form of godliness 2 Tim. 3:5) and talking “about” Him. We need to know Him in His fullness. And it takes faith and prayer.
Dearest KIRSTYN: I pray for strength and wisdom as you confront the sad news of Colton’s Trisomy 18. I pray the Lord give you comfort and help you break thus news to your 6 other kids. God is in the miracle business still, and he will do a work in all of your hearts with Colton’s life! Know we are all praying for you!
Solomon couldn’t find comfort no matter how many arms he lay in. He couldn’t find omniscience no matter how hard he searched. There is only one Comforter, one who is omniscient. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Covering you all in prayer today.
What an incredible reflection ❤️
Wow!!! Was really struggling to pull nuggets out of this days reading in Ecclesiastes but then I read the devotion-So powerful and eye opening . What a blessing
Kristen Wright, I’m praying for you, your husband and family and unborn child dear one! I know two wonderful Christian women who had children born with Trisomy 18. They both have large families as well. They both have much wisdom in parenting and compassionate hearts. If you would like to talk with either of them please feel free to message me through Facebook or Instagram. I know they would both count it a blessing to speak with you and pray with you. You can find me at Kimberly Burchiel. Also Senator Rick Santorum and his wife have a child with Trisomy 18. I have heard him speak of how much he has learned of God through caring for his daughter Bella. May the peace that passes all understanding guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
Thank you Margaret.
Angie, thank you so much for your post! You are such a blessing. I am praying for you and your husband.❤️
I pray that I can truly have a relationship with God, not just know Him by collecting information, but truly cherish Him. These devotions are a real blessing. And I am grateful, especially in this time with all that is happening in the world.
amen!
Thank you for the encouragement y’all! I’m thankful that I can be honest in this space. Tina, that Mother Theresa quote is true wisdom. Thank you.
Angie, thankful for your husbands release, and that he is no longer contagious…looking upwards for your husband in praise of the one who hears our prayers.
For you Angie, will continue to pray for Gods hand to be over the awaited results..and join you in praising Him for His goodness and mercy, but most importantly the Hope we have in Him..
Blessings being prayed over you and yours Angie..❤
Churchmouse, loving your words today, and the comparison between father and son. True, it is only a relationship with God, repentance, understanding of who we are in Him, that gives us the vision hope and understanding..Amen..
Holding for you and yours up in prayer dear friend..
Praying, NO, singing, with love, The blessing over you all.❤
As I scroll through and read the posts, I stop and pray for the many emotions, circumstances, needs, and even praises given. I would “reply” except I cannot get that to work on my computer.
Specifically Churchmouse and Dorothy I have been praying this day for each of your families and circumstances.
The other day a sister (maybe Courtney) shared that she has to have some sort of additional checking for her left breast after a mammogram…I have been praying for your comfort and peace in the waiting…and for the results.
Kirstyn, God created the life inside of you, and He is not surprised by the Trisomy 18. I do not pretend to understand. Close friends to my son had a very similar situation. They did all the right things and, the baby is in heaven. I am sorry, I know that may not be helpful. I don’t know the whys but I trust God and bring you and your family before Him for His care. I pray for a better answer in your case, while at the same time trusting that God sees the whole picture. I am so sorry for the hurt and struggle right now.
Leann your heaviness of heart and weight that so many are lost I understand. Sometimes while I am praying I am brought to tears praying for lost family, friends, even strangers. I try to remind myself that God loves and aches for them to come Home immensely. He continues to reach out to them. The weight of anyone else’s salvation is not on me. I can do nothing to save anyone. What I can do is try to live my life as close to loving and knowing God as possible so that maybe, hopefully, they will see something that doesn’t make them think of me, but want Him. A little girl, from an extremely tough home, once wrote a note to me that said, “There is just something about you that is different, something that is good.” I wrote her back 5 simple words, “What you see is Jesus.” I think that is the best we can do, try to show them Jesus…and pray.
Finally, an update on our Covid situation. My husband is doing well. Praise the Lord. He had severe symptoms for 11 days, but he is released…no longer contagious and slowly gaining his strength back. His employer has been kind and allowed him to work partial days this week to help. I started with symptoms on Monday. I do not have a fever, only sore throat, headache, weakness, and sore body. It is like having a weird flu. I think I am doing pretty well and then I am just miserable. I was tested for both strep and Covid on Tuesday. Strep made sense to me, but it came back negative. I should receive the results on the Covid any time in the next few days. I appreciate your continued prayers. I really don’t feel good. At the same time, I can see how God faithfully provided all through the situation, and even now continues to bless, and I am so thankful. Regardless of the results, I will praise him. My son’s pastor made the statement that struck me hard. He said, “Fear is nothing more than faith in the devil.” Every time I start to give in to the fear…I try to lay it down and remember, my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus love and righteousness. I am his child. He is my El Elyon, my Jehovah Rophi…and I will trust Him.
Praying for you and your family Angie! And thank you for your words. They are a blessing!
KIRSTYN, I am so sorry for your troubles and the season you are navigating now… praying God walk close with you all and that you will lean on Him, whose heart hurts when you hurt, who weeps when you weep.. He is near to the broken hearted..
Psalm 34:18 says..
The Lord is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope.
Praying dear heart, praying…❤
Erin, I enjoy your devotions. I loved the comparisons of Solomon and David this morning. I want to be a woman after God’s own heart! How quickly the pleasures of this world can draw us aside!
TAYLOR, Praying for you and with you, as you cover our sisters and their loved ones in prayer.
God bless you.❤
TABITHA, Praying for peace of heart and mind for you..
Sending hugs wrapped in love and prayers dear heart.❤
Dorothy.. praying your heart is knowing some peace today…
Interesting, isn’t it how that last bit of Erin’s devotion was what I found awesome, and you cannot understand…
Might I share my take on it..
Wisdom isn’t an item to collect but a Person to be cherished.
Wisdom, for me has never been about years or knowledge, it’s been about my relationship with God.. it’s been about God. I wasn’t born with wisdom, so much as my life has been guided by God. I didn’t acquire wisdom so much as i am led by God. I cannot buy wisdom, so much as God graciously gives. My relationship with God, means He is my source, my friend, my council, He is my Wisdom!
He is wisdom!
I hope this helps you.
Sending love wrapped hugs across the pond..❤
LISSA, Peace be with you too…prayers wrapped in love and hugs, dear sister heading your way!❤
LEANN SCHMITTS.. As I read your post, I felt Mother Theresa’s words come to mind…
‘“I never look at the masses as my responsibility. I look at the individual. I can love only one person at a time. I can feed only one person at a time. Just one, one, one.”
Not because I don’t care for your heart and your heartfelt sadness, but sometimes worrying makes us paralysed to do anything..in those instances of worrying for the world, PRAY. PRAY. PRAY. And where you are, one person at a time is a start, because in 10 days 10 people could have been blessed and loved by you…
I hope this helps Leann.
Every blessing wrapped in love, for peace of heart..❤
I woke up this morning with a heavy heart. All the injustice going on in our country is upsetting. But God. You women, my SRT family, lighten my heart. Thank you for your heart, insight, and honesty. If only our country were run by the wise women I join with here, each morning, we’d be in a better place. Peace, be with us.
Angie,
So thankful for teachers like you! My daughter just finished 8th grade and thinks learning is unnecessary and stupid. As a reader and avid PBS watcher, it makes me so sad to see her waste so much time on nothing. She used to love learning! During the e-learning this semester, she did the absolute minimum. Praying they will at least be able to go to school this fall and something will spark an interest in learning-maybe a caring teacher!
As I read the verses from 1 Kings I realized I didn’t know my Bible as well as I thought I did. I knew Solomon had many, many, many wives but I did not know he had strayed from God. I read a Biblical based novel about Solomon’s young years titled, The Heart of a King: The Loves of Solomon by Jill Eileen Smith. In the book Solomon would keep saying he was marrying all his wives to keep peace with all the different countries. He would go on to say God understood and it was okay.
I’m not sure I understand what Erin is saying in her last sentence, “We remember this: Wisdom isn’t an item to collect but a Person to be cherished.” I enjoy and reap, and have in the past, from everything those who are older and/or are wise than I am. Have a blessed day.
Several of us are struggling with Ecclesiastes. I want to recommend a very insightful book on it, “Living Life Backwards” by David Gibson.
Leann, I can definitely relate. Ecclesiastes is a heavy book to read when the world already feels too much with us. I’m not sure how to make sense of everything in this book, but I’m trying to keep looking for Christ in all the pages of Scripture. “Life under the sun” is bleak, and Solomon’s sin reminds me of my own. Praying that seeing the reality of my hopeless situation and desperate need for a Savior will lead me closer to Christ.
Prayed for you! Keep looking to Jesus and asking Him for faith.
TABITHA HORNYAK, I pray for you in this honest confession of your need; need for heart transformation. And how good it is to know that our God desires for us to cast all these anxieties, desires, and perplexity upon him. I go to the throne of grace with you asking him for mercy and help in your time of need.
KIRSTYN WRIGHT, my heart aches with you in receiving such hard news. Yes, I join the prayers of others for the Lord to touch you deeply with his presence and even to boldly go to his throne room and ask for a miracle. May he sustain you throughout this breath-taking journey!
God created humans in perfect harmony with him and each other. Humans, then, rebelled against him. “Why?” can still plague my mind at times. It seems this was what the Preacher was trying to understand. He knows that many schemes lurk in the human heart, yet in trying to figure out why, he is left in perplexity. Even in the amazing gospel of grace we are given through the Son of God, our Lord Jesus, I sense the awe of “the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!”
In regard to the question “why”, I’ve been listening to a song by Casting Crowns called “The Hurt and the Healer.” The lyrics relate to this question in the midst of our suffering lives today. Here are some of the lyrics:
Why?
The question that is never far away
The healing doesn’t come from the explained
Jesus please don’t let this be in vain
You’re all I have
All that remains
So here I am
What’s left of me
When glory meets my suffering
I’m alive
Even though a part of me has died
You take my heart and breathe it back to life
I’ll fall into Your arms open wide
When the hurt and the healer collide
Breathe
Sometimes I feel it’s all that I can do
Pain so deep that I can hardly move
Just keep my eyes completely fixed on You
Lord take hold and pull me through
It’s the moment when humanity
Is overcome by majesty
When grace is ushered in for good
And all our scars are understood
When mercy takes its rightful place
And all these questions fade away
When out of the weakness we must bow
And hear You say it’s over now
Jesus come and break my fear
Awake my heart and take my tears
Find Your glory even here
When the hurt and the healer collide
Hi, just asking for some prayer. My anxiety has been crippling lately. I wake up sick to my stomach and I go to bed with a heavy heart. I can’t stop worrying about all of the what if’s and grieving the “normal” we’ve lost. I’ve always had hard time with anxiety. I feel ashamed but I think it comes down to a distrust in God’s goodness. I just ask that if you read this you would pray for me to have wisdom and discernment over what to give my attention to these days and that the Lord would grant me peace and replace my anxiety and fear with joy and trust in him. Thank you.
From one anxious soul to another, I have prayed for you! May God’s peace fill your whole being.
Asking God to gift you with His peace that passes all understanding.
I’m wondering what might be driving the anxiety underneath it. God invites you to bring that to Him also. You are His child, He loves you.
Praying tabitha!!!
Tabitha praying with you – nothing to be ashamed of! Sometimes anxiety is as much a spiritual matter
(Cont)… as is a physical matter. Sometimes it’s down to the chemistry of our brain. WHICHEVER one it is – Jesus has an answer for it, a peace beyond understanding He’s keen for you to have & welcoming arms for you.
“What the Teacher Found.”
I have been a public school teacher for 29 years now, teaching 2nd grade for 6 years, staying home with my children until they went to school, and then returning to teaching 22 years in 3rd grade. While academic preparedness is an important part of each day, the foundation is really teaching the children to think, to respond in compassion, to act out of integrity, and to have faith that they were created for a good purpose. In my public school classroom I cannot offer lessons about faith in God, but I pray I model it daily. The children often bring up their faith and their families faith. They talk about church. Sometimes they ask me to pray for someone or something, and I can do that with them, when child initiated. (I do it privately also). On a much smaller scale (like an atom compared to the universe) like Solomon, I am probably considered a wise teacher. My students normally do well on the standardized tests because they have learned to think and believe they can do it. Yesterday was our last day of school…different obviously with elearning, but our last day. And, I spend every June rethinking what we did that school year and tweaking things to improve it for the next. So my mind is on, “what the teacher found…”
More like David though, my students’ successes are founded on a bond of the heart, not just the head. We become a family. We love and respect each other. While I am the teacher…I learn so much from them, every moment of every school day. One of the things this year’s class taught me was to laugh, really stop and laugh. None of us are the same when the year is complete, we all grow and learn…and that is a blessing.
When I read in scripture where Solomon worshiped the gods of his many wives…I want to shout, “No, no, no…don’t do it. Don’t give your heart away to false gods.” I know Solomon’s story, yet it doesn’t change my heartbreak over the sin. When my students do things that I know will lead them into trouble (for example, one was caught stealing from me this year…) I want to shout, “No, no, no…don’t do it. Give your heart to God. He is your hope. He is your salvation and peace.” Similarly, I believe, when God sees me start to lean into sin, or give full focus towards it even…he shouts, “No, no, no, don’t do it. I created you for more than this. I love you child. Turn towards me. I already bought you with the shed blood of my Son.”
I love and care about my students so much I could burst sometimes, and that is not even a drop into a bucket compared to God’s love and care for us. He has adopted us as children, heirs with Jesus. Just like my students would not do well if they simply were taught the academics without relationship, God is not satisfied with head knowledge, He wants our heart – all of it. Jesus gave His life so that we could have relationship, so that we may be covered in His righteousness and enter into the presence of the Father, clean and pure. Wisdom isn’t thinking and then doing. Wisdom is relationship-steps taken from the heart, founded in Love, obedience, and Truth.
Like Solomon, like David, like Angie, Mari, Dorothy, Jane, Sue, Beth, like (insert your name here)…we do not have all wisdom in ourselves, but God, who is all Wise, owns our heart. He is our Father. He is everything. It is not about a head knowledge religion…it is heart-rendered relationship. Growing and learning…what a blessing.
I went back through the last few days’ comments because I hadn’t read all of them yet and God really encouraged me to write down everyone’s names who asked for prayer and pray for them each individually. So I am praying for Cassandra King, Diana Fleenor, Angie’s husband (please update us if you have a chance!), Claudia R., Sarah D. and her sister & brother-in-law, Dorothy and her family, Churchmouse and her family, and Kirstyn Wright and her family.
I am so thankful for this place where we can share our hearts and pray faithfully for one another. If anyone else needs prayer please ask. You are all so loved and seen <3
Angie thank you for your comment a few days ago about putting on the armor of God. I feel Satan trying to rob me of my joy today. Your comment was really helpful, thank you!
KIRSTYN – You and your family will be in my prayers! I trust that God will give you the words when the time comes to inform your other children. Hugs!!!
Oh Kirsten, praying His arms around you all. Lord be with this family. Jesus please hold this unborn precious child and I ask for your mercy and miracles Lord. Most of all for your presence right now with them.We don’t understand these things Lord, please God pour out your love on Kirsten and her family. In your Holy name Jesus.
I don’t usually comment, but this short essay was a powerful word for me today. That’s SRT team for what you do and allowing God to use you as vessels for His purposes
Precious ladies- I posted a week or so ago about my pregnancy and that we’ve been having many difficulties. We found out this week that baby Colton has Trisomy 18, which the doctors say is “incompatible with life”. To say I am having a tough time is an understatement. I don’t know how to walk through this myself, let alone shepherd my 6 other children through it. Please pray.
Kristyn I’m so so sorry. What should be a time of rejoicing may now seem tainted, a time of pain and confusion. May God to draw nearer to you than ever before as you draw near to Him in trust and maybe desperation to figure out what to do
Prayers for you. If you need support other than your family and church reach out to your local pregnancy center! They will love you through this.
I’m so sorry. Grieving with and for you. Holding you and your family before the Lord for mercy and grace. May He hold you close.
Praying for you.
Praying for you now. Praying that God’s presence is tangible. That you may feel the breadth and depth of His love for you.
Praying for you and your family now. God alone fully understands what you are walking through right now, and leading your family through. May you sense His presence in a tangible way!
Kirstyn, I am praying for you!
Praying for you right now.
I’m so sorry Kirstyn. I went through this with my first baby, Isaac. If you ever want to talk, my email is [email protected].
Kirsten,
I am so sorry that you have received this diagnosis. Please look up Hannah Sudlow on Instagram. Her daughter Evelyn had trisomy 18 and she would be an amazing source of information for you.
Sara
LEEANN SCHMITT – I have had the same thoughts! All appears right in the animal kingdom that keeps me entertained, yet I know their world isn’t perfect either. To top things off, we have a very loving stray cat in our yard that brings a whole other level of concern. This season is very hard and I am thankful I have a heart relationship with God! There are times the Solomon perspective rears its ugly head, though. Thankful for the rich nourishment provided by SRT!!
Today my heart is heavy from all the suffering that is happening in our country and with those close to me. Lord be near to us now. Be near to those who are hurting. You are our Comforter.
I am having a hard time with this study of Ecclesiastes. The book has never been my favorite, but I determined to do this study as a matter of discipline in confidence that all scripture has a purpose. I think I’m focusing on the wrong things, but the book seems so bleak in a time when there is an awful lot of bleak– that is one thing that never changes under the sun. And yes, I know there is much good and my life is blessed as I sit on my porch listening to the wind in the tree leaves and the chatter of birds, but so many are hurting, so many are so lost.
Praying for your family this morning, Churchmouse!
1 Corinthians 2:1-16 ❤️
Yes! Christ is our Wisdom through the Spirit. We have the mind of Christ. Thank you for the reminder!
I love that last quote. We don’t collect wisdom- we receive it through a relationship with God. It’s only through Him the true source.
But also- don’t they say that Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived? I don’t understand that whole piece of the puzzle. Why do they say that about him? When he chose to walk away from God numerous times and kept wanting all the things? It doesn’t make sense to me! Just asking questions in the vast mystery of the Word!
Churchmouse-Praying this morning for Julia and the family, as well as the doctors.
Dorothy-Praying for your family this morning.
I can’t keep up with all of the requests and/or praises, but God knows each one and He knows when I pray for my SRT family that I am asking Him to cover each need and praising Him for all.
So blessed to be part of this world-wide community of believers. ❤️
Peace to you ladies!
May we be wise like David, trusting in the Lord to guide us on our way.
Amen
I am struck today in the comparison of heart vs head knowledge and the life it changes
I thought of this in the dating vs marriage comparison and how when we are dating we are exploring details about a person. We are full of strong feelings and excitement. But when we marry and the relationship commitment is forever it takes more than feelings and facts. It takes listening and understanding of the deeper pieces that make up your spouse.
So true. True love can only be sustained and flourish as a result of deep knowledge of the inner workings of the one loved.
“Wisdom isn’t an item to collect but a Person to be cherished.” This really spoke to me this morning. I’ve been praying for and seeking wisdom in my daily life lately…for being a wife, a mom, a worship leader. And at times it does feel elusive. This quote helps me put it into such clear perspective…yes, I want God’s wisdom. What better way to get it than by cultivating a relationship with Him? By getting to know the heart of the Father? Instead of just looking for what His hand can give me, I need to look at His hand! To take it and be led by him into wisdom and truth! It’s easy to read some of these passages and think “I would never do that!”…but I know the second I let go of God’s hand, I can just as easily fall. Like my kids cling to me as we walk across a busy street, may I cling to Him walking through this busy life!
Amen!
How often I find myself looking for the logic, focusing on the science, and searching for the practicality of a thing. I seek knowledge constantly, but am I developing wisdom? I want to understand God, but why? Is it to be able to say “I know!” or because I want a deeper relationship with Him?
Lord, guide my heart to seek yours.
Amen!
Dear friends, I am touched by your prayers for our Julia. Please know that I pray also for all of your requests, making note of each one. What a privilege it is to gather on our knees for one another. We help each other breathe.
❤️
Just went back and read your prayer request from yesterday. Praying for Julia now and asking God to bring healing and comfort to her. May God give the doctor and all the staff wisdom as they care for Julia and make important decisions about her health. I too write down all the SRT sister’s request and pray for each one as God brings their names to my mind. Praying for peace for you too today.
Tina. I have always pictured you as much younger. I should have known because you have wisdom. My flower garden, trees and river has helped me through this Great Confinement. Don’t hold it against me that I live on north west side of USA! Thank you for the wisdom you share.
Wisdom isn’t an item to collect but a Person to be cherished.
I absolutely LOVE this!
This statement puts it all into perspective for me!
As I sit in my garden, surrounded by the sunshine, flowers and birdsong, I am in awe..in awe because I chose the colours, I put them in position, I planted most of this beauty..
But God… in His wisdom…and His alone….
I like to joke that with each grey hair I get, I am wiser … lol!
Oh my days if only!!!
What i have that to the young ones seems like wisdom, is experience of life.. ‘is been there done it, not doing it again stuff’, or perhaps have learnt over the years.
Life experiences are absolutely not wisdom, they are mistakes rectified in ones life for good, moving forward.. these experiences cannot be promoted to wisdom..
BUT God…
With God, there is a heart shift, there is a soul searching change, a forgiveness of sin that allows for change..
Been there done it, is not enough, as a grown woman with beautifully greying hair(thank you lord), I am fully aware, NOW, that wisdom is not mine, until my relationship with God is as it should be.. not searching for answers, but trusting Him, not holding back, but giving in to Him, not trying in my own strength, but in my weakness holding fast to Him.., not aiming so much as having Hope in Him
I may be a teacher to the younger generation, but I am still a student of the most High God, still learning..still growing.. not yet arrived..
I wouldnt want it any other way..
Amen..
Happy sunny Friday.. Blessings for a beautiful and absolutely God amazing weekend. ❤
CHURCHMOUSE – praying for y’all & especially Julia and her medical team this morning!
DOROTHY – praying for you, Carol and Jake. Having recently gone through this (and not yet finished) for a parent – it is a process of mourning mixed with happy memories for those we loved so so so much.
Our whole lives are full of ups and downs, how blessed we are that God is always waiting for us to direct and guide us. I so often fall, how thankful I am that He is so gracious to pick me up, dust me off and start all over again, He never gives up on me, and all the mistakes, He forgives and helps to make me who He wants me to be.
Beautiful perspective thank you for sharing Church-mouse as always.
*** David became “a man after GOD’S own heart.”
Repentance is a wonderful thing. It can change the course of a person’s life. It can determine their legacy. Both David and Solomon committed despicable acts. David repented and became “a man after His own heart” and Israel’s greatest king. Solomon however studied much about God and His ways but failed to yield his heart to God. “Solomon did what was evil in the Lord’s sight.” Two kings. Two eras. Neither was perfect. Both were visited by God. One repented. Two different destinies. Two distinct legacies.