Two-minute read.
“If you’d only listen to me, you wouldn’t get into so much trouble!
I hear my mother’s exasperated voice in my head more now than ever. Today marks 93 years since she entered this world, and the eleventh birthday she’s celebrated in heaven. Oh, how I miss her wisdom in my life.
No one loved me as much as my mom did. I understand more now than ever how she tried to help me avoid the pitfalls of life with her knowledge of Biblical wisdom. But I didn’t listen, thinking I knew better than my mother, I did things my way, and suffered the consequences.
Teaching children starts at home. My parents did their best to raise us according to the Lord. On Sunday mornings, you could find the Minicks sitting in the back row of the Tidal Presbyterian Church. Mom and Dad made us observe the Sabbath, not allowed to do any work. They instilled the fear of God in us, teaching us to respect Him and follow His ways.
But I didn’t listen very well, always trying to bend the rules, causing my parents turmoil. Oh, how I wish I’d listened better; it would have saved me much suffering. Children have a way of testing boundaries and learning the hard way.
However, when kids start their adult journey, parents get more phone calls than ever for advice. Suddenly, we realize that maybe they do know a thing or two, and maybe we should listen. Having wise parents who follow the Lord leads to wise advice for the trials we face. A garland to adorn our head and a chain to wear around our neck, parental advice, given with love, helps us persevere through life’s journey.
Journal Question:
What advice do you wish you had followed from your parents?
Write about the most important lesson you learned from your parents.
What trouble has parental advice helped you avoid?
Prayer:
Lord,
Thank You for our parents who did their best to raise us according to Your will. Help us forgive them for their imperfections and accept their wisdom. Let us heed their advice and apply it to our lives.
IJNIP
Amen
