Verse Highlight: 

Proverbs 4:6-9 “Never walk away from Wisdom—she guards your life; love her—she keeps her eye on you. Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom! Write this at the top of your list: Get understanding! Throw your arms around her—believe me, you won’t regret it; never let her go—she’ll make your life glorious. She’ll garland your life with grace, she’ll festoon your days with beauty.” (The Message)

Here is the sam passage in the NASB: “Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.“The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.“Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her. “She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty.”

Dear Moms, 

I said to my husband just the other day, “I think I’m starting to get this whole motherhood thing down.” I was saying it tongue in cheek, but there was also a grain of truth to it. It was tongue in cheek because I have actually learned a thing or two in the past nineteen years (thankfully!!), but also because I recognize that I am not quite there yet. My motherhood journey is not over and I have a feeling that I will be growing and learning, being refined, for all of it! 

Sometimes I’m learning because I am actually encountering a new situation, one that I’ve never faced before. In those moments, even if I have head knowledge, experiencing it personally is a whole different thing! (For example, it’s helpful to learn what to expect during childbirth, but no matter how much you learn about it, actually going through it is a much different experience for most of us!) Other times I’m learning a lesson I’ve already learned! This is because I have known something in part, but never actually put it into practice. 

It doesn’t really matter why I need to learn, the important thing is that I do. It’s also important that I recognize this. When I recognize that I am not perfect, my journey not yet complete, I remain teachable. I seek wisdom and understanding. This is put in practice this way: I pray & ask the Lord what to do. I ask Him to teach me. I listen for His voice. I spend time in His Word with an open heart and mind. I ask questions and learn from others. And so on. 

It also looks like this: Change. Repenting for areas I haven’t lived wisely. Sometimes this requires apologizing to my kids or others and then learning new values and behaviors. Even good change can be painful because it stretches you. It requires proaction and practice. You can’t be lazy. This is why, by the way, that wisdom is all too often rare. (You’ll notice in the passage above that it requires action on your part!)

But, the good news is this: the effort is worth it! When you put forth the effort, you will change. And, not only that, but your life will change! For the better! And, more good news? The Lord will give you wisdom! (See James 1:5.) Earthly wisdom can be helpful, but heavenly wisdom? That is of incomparable worth. Not only will that change your life, but it will impact the world because the seeds of heaven are contained within it.

I don’t know what you specifically need wisdom for today. Maybe you are a new mom, facing the challenges of of motherhood for the first time. Trying to figure life out as a mom—while you are exhausted—can feel overwhelming. Maybe you are facing an entirely different challenge as you are learning what motherhood looks like as you experience an “empty nest” for the first time. Or, perhaps it is one of a billion other things that face moms. I don’t know, but I know there is something because your journey isn’t over yet either! And, the best news of all? The Lord knows and He is with you!

Today’s Action Step: 

First: Pray! Ask the Lord for wisdom. Welcome Him into your heart and life to teach and guide you. Repent in any area where you haven’t been teachable. Ask the Lord to give you one specific action step. This could be a way to seek wisdom, or it could be a specific action step of wisdom to take in the area you have been needing wisdom. (Make sure to spend some time listening!)

Then: Act! It is important to not put this off. Acting on what the Lord says as soon as possible is often key to actually putting His wisdom into practice. 

Finally: Repeat this daily, as often as needed. 

Be encouraged! The Lord is not far off. He is with you and He has all the wisdom you could possibly need. No situation you are facing is even a little bit difficult for Him. As you seek wisdom, not only will you find it, but you will find Him. So, take heart! Gather your courage, and let the Lord give wisdom and grace to your day.