I have five lovely granddaughters ranging in age from 17 – 30! They are one of the wonderful rewards of growing old. The Proverbs say it this way: “Children’s children are the crown of old men (and women!)… Pro 17:6 Amplified and “Old people are distinguished by grandchildren…” Pro 17:6 The Message.
This past week I was honored to hear from one of my granddaughters. Politely she asked, “Granmomma, do you have a minute? I need your opinion about something.” Immediately she had all my attention and a listening ear. She went on to express her concern about a big, life decision that she was facing. As I listened, I silently prayed, “Father, give me Your Wisdom to share with her.” Our conversation went on for about an hour as we talked and shared openly about the decision she faced. She truly wanted God’s perfect will in her life. Her heart was open to hear what Granmomma had to share and I was mindful to give her plenty of space to receive or not receive as she felt led. It was a beautiful conversation between two Daughters of the Most High God…one young and one old. That conversation brought such joy to this grandmother. Her final decision in the matter before her really didn’t matter much in the big picture, but what did matter was that she was being obedient to God’s Word to seek counsel and advice in an important life decision and above all else, she wanted His will.
“He who deals wisely and heeds God’s word and counsel shall find good, and whoever leans on, trusts in and is confident in the Lord – happy, blessed and fortunate is he.” Proverbs 16:18, “Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14.
I have recently been doing another study in Proverbs and I discovered a footnote in my Amplified Bible that in all my other studies of the book I had missed! Throughout this Old Testament book, the word “fool” is used repeatedly. The footnote says: “The word “fool” in the Old Testament seldom, if ever, is used to describe the feebleminded, imbecile, idiot, or moron. Rather, it always has with it the meaning of a rebel, especially against God and the laws of order, decency and justice.” Webster’s defines rebel as disobedient or rebellious. Some synonyms for the word are: balky, contrary, defiant, incompliant, insubordinate, disobedient, rebellious, ungovernable, unruly, wayward, willful . For me, this brought new insight as I read how many times in the Proverbs God talks about the fool or the foolish. He then goes on to compare the fool to the righteous many, many times. He tells us that Wisdom is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God. He says, “Godly Wisdom of the prudent is to understand His way, but the folly of the self-confident fool is to deceive.”
My granddaughter displayed a prudent, wise attitude when she said, “Granmomma, I need your advice.” We all need to be more like her…open and teachable and truly seeking a heart after our Father. I love the end of this story more than the beginning! At the close of our discussion, we prayed and her decision was made in confidence. In less than 24 hours she had an amazing answer to her prayers. Once she made her decision, God closed a major door in her life and opened another greater, wider opportunity before her. Her joy was overflowing. “The hope of the uncompromisingly righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) is gladness.” Proverbs 10:28. Selah.