A Father’s Wisdom
James 3:17 – But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere. (CEV)
Long ago, my husband, Mike, timidly approached my father to ask my hand in marriage. If you knew my father, you would agree that this was one of my husband’s greatest acts of bravery. My father was infamous for what we called, “Death by Lecture.” So, before my father’s approval, Mike knew he was in for a long lecture in which, “Yes Sir,” would be all that he dares utter.
But, surprisingly, that couldn’t have been farther from the truth. By some miracle, my father simply offered him brief and to-the-point advice. First, my father said, “Son, always put God first in your marriage.” This advice was exactly the type of advice Mike expected to receive, only in a much-expanded form. Then my father continued with two other bits of advice never anticipated. He added, “And son, never let that girl get hungry, or you will be sorry.” And, “Always make sure she gets her sleep, or nobody’s going to be happy.” Then he finished with, “But, yes, you may marry my daughter.”
WHAT???
For years, I wondered why my father, who could spend half an hour lecturing on the correct pronunciation of the word “window,” had offered such simple and unconventional advice. And, in my opinion, only one piece of his advice was legitimate: Love God.
But, reflecting on this unusual meeting, I have realized the wisdom in those snippets of advice and now see it as an offering of love. You see, my dad adored my choice of a mate and desperately wanted us to have the best marriage possible. So, knowing me well, my father offered spot-on advice to my husband, who, unfortunately, can now vouch for the truth in my father’s words of wisdom.
Our Heavenly Father also knows us well. He, too, offers us many snippets of advice. Why? Because He adores us and wants us to have the best life possible. For a life where wrath will be turned away, God tells us to give a gentle answer when we are angry. (Proverbs 15:1) For a life filled with blessings, God tells us to be generous with what we have. (Luke 6:38) For a life of understanding and wisdom in all situations, God tells us to take the time to listen. (James 1:19) To avoid falls, God advises us to rid our lives of pride. (Proverbs 16:18) These and many other snippets of wisdom are abundant in His Word. Our Heavenly Father offers them because He loves us and wants us to live out the best life possible.
As we celebrate this Father’s Day, may we know the wisdom of a loving Father. A Father whom we all share. A Father who loves us beyond words. A Father who desires us to have a blessed life in His love.
We thank you for the wisdom you supply us through your Word, Father. We pray that our hearts willingly accept.
Blessings,
Rita