Wisdom & Patience

Wow is it difficult to be patient and allow your kids to make life impacting choices. All we can do is pray, pray, pray for them to make wise choices and not to get ahead of God’s will (1 Thes 5:16-18).

This might be best demonstrated via a life story involving one of my sons. He grew up in a fairly conservative community with Christian values and was taught the value of earning a dollar. He did well in high school, was involved in extracurricular activities, AND worked part-time. He had a good head on his shoulders and appeared to possess sound judgment. He left for his first semester in college with $3,000 in the bank and with his tuition, books, room and board covered. If he kept his GPA on track, then he would have the luxury of only having to work during Christmas breaks and summers in order to have spending money while in school. He would also be allowed to drive a family vehicle back to school for the spring semester.

Well that all looked good on paper, but there was a wrinkle during the first Christmas break. He said he couldn’t find work during the break. I didn’t pressure him assuming he had been a good steward with his money and that he had enough money in the bank to get him through to the summer (bad assumption on my part). Trusting all was well, I allowed him to drive my truck back to school for the semester.

After the spring semester convened, I secured an opportunity for him to make $1000 for a weekend’s work at an event I was managing. The event was taking place approximately 4 hours from his school. He needed to be there by 4pm local time, so we agreed to a travel plan around his class schedule that would get him there with time to spare.

He got a late start (choice), ran into rush hour traffic (consequence), and hit the back of another vehicle that made a sudden stop (bigger consequence as he was now rushed and not paying close attention)), disabling the truck (another consequence).  The consequences were that he didn’t make it the event, he didn’t make $1000 and had to pay the $1000 deductible (a $2000 swing if you are keeping track). His choices also put me in a bind in managing the event. This led to an admission that he was now broke since he had also had an accident in a friend’s car a couple of months back costing him another $1000 in repair cost. Choices and consequences! He had to tough it out the rest of the semester with no money. A tough but necessary lesson. He was learning to be content with much and with little.

We both made mistakes during this time, but God is good all the time. In the end, my son graduated from college 3 years later, married his college sweetheart (another story on waiting on God’s plan), became a missionary for a season, is now gainfully employed (another God story for another day), and is serving his local church community (Prov 3:5-8). Praise God!

The choice for me was to trust God even In the midst of my frustration and concern.. The consequence was developing patience when things didn't go the way I 'wanted' them to go and firmly grasp that God's plan is ALWAYS best!

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18   Always be joyful.  Never stop praying.  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:12   I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything.  I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether is is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.

Proverbs 3: 5-8   Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.  Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.

Job 19:25   “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.”

Psalm 78:35  Then they remembered that God was their rock, that God Most High was their redeemer.