April 6, 2024: I Will Keep My Parents' Wisdom Close To My Heart, For It Guides My Life.

”My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck. When you roam, they will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; And when you awake, they will speak with you. For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,“ -Proverbs‬ ‭6‬:‭20‬-‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Growing up, Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff wrote a song called “Parents Just Don’t Understand.” In the song, there seems to be a struggle between the parents and the child. There is thought process gap between the two. The child is viewing one thing as important while the parent is letting them know they are putting the importance on the wrong thing.

While this battle is going on, there is a statement that is consistently being made. “No need to argue, parents just don’t understand.” As a child, the perspective is always a narrow and limited one. But parents, often see the grander scheme of things because they lived it. The role of the parent is to make sure raise the child up to be the best that they can be. That means being able to teach them how to handle themselves in every situation.

The words from Solomon in this Proverb is to remind his son to not forget what we have taught you. We have taught you these things for a reason because we know that life will happen and you will know the proper way to handle them. Don’t forget these things because if you stray, they will bring you back to the right direction. They will protect you. They will strengthen you.

There are two things that we must keep in mind.

1. As parents, what are we instilling for our children to remember? What values, skills knowledge, wisdom, and guidance are we providing for them to get through the rough moments of life? Have we introduced them to God? Have we demonstrated to them what it looks like to trust Him?
2. As children, do we listen to sound guidance? Do we really trust what people before us have experienced and been through? Can we listen to the fact that everyone is not out to ruin your fun, but to make sure you have a hope and a future?

Parents do understand. That’s why they care.