The Wise Listen
The prayers of Mr. John Richard always bless me. His wife Miss Helen has told me that the John Richard you see at church is the real John Richard. He’s the same at home. Through and through, he’s the real thing.
He moves slowly. He speaks slowly. He thinks deeply. It is wise to listen and take in what he says.
On a recent Sunday, he thanked God for not creating us and then letting us flounder, but for staying involved and instructing us.
How blessed we are that God does that.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding,
Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check,
Otherwise they will not come near to you.
Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
But he who trusts in the Lord, lovingkindness shall surround him.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.
Psalm 32:8-11
Soon after Mr. John Richard’s prayer, Ray and I discussed the prevailing attitude that adult children don’t have to listen to their parents. I was surprised by Ray’s quick and firm response which was uncharacteristic of my gentle husband. “That’s ungodly,” he said, and then told me about reading in Deuteronomy recently about the command God gave the Israelites to instruct both their children and their grandchildren.
Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently,
so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen
and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life;
but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.
Deuteronomy 4:9
When I asked Ray later what specific passage he meant, he told about the verse above and also about Deuteronomy 4:25 when God tells the Israelites how He will punish them if they act corruptly, make idols, and do evil in the sight of God — after they become fathers of children and of children’s children.
Staying involved and instructing — that’s what every loving father does and what every loving mother, grandfather, and grandmother do. The wise child and grandchild listen.
A poor yet wise lad is better
than an old and foolish king
who no longer knows how to receive instruction.
Ecclesiastes 4:13