UnNaming Wisdom

I've been spending a good bit of time thinking about raising our son.  I want him to grow up to be strong and courageous, to be generous and discerning.  I want him to know and love God -- okay with his doubts and hanging onto faith.  As my beautiful wife, who is wiser than I know, told me, all of that is not up to us. If we will allow him, God will form those things, God will call into his life and heart, God will embrace our son.

I love hearing my friend Winn talk about weekends when his wife is away and he gets to spend time with his two boys.  He tells them they are having a Collier man weekend.  He speaks to them about what it means to be a Collier man -- how to love God and people, how to live generously, how to slay fear.  I want my son to know what it means to be a Grigg man. I have many hopes for our son, but if I had one hope or wish, like Solomon, I would ask for wisdom. The proverbs have a wealth of wisdom and so these are 10 proverbs for my son.

1. Proverbs 15:33 "The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility"
2. Proverbs 3:25 "Do not be afraid of sudden fear, Nor the onslaught of the wicked when it comes"
3. Proverbs 14:25 "The naive believes everything, but the prudent man considers his steps"
4. Proverbs 3:3 "Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."
5. Proverbs 3:27 "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it."
6. Proverbs 3:30-31 "Do not contend with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm.  Do not envy a man of violence, And do not choose any of his ways."
7. Proverbs 21:5 "The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty."
8. Proverbs 21:13 "He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor, Will also cry himself and not be answered"
9. Proverbs 21:23 "He who guards his mouth and tongue, Guards his soul from troubles."
10. Proverbs 15:17 "Better is a dish of vegetables where love is, than a fattened ox and hatred with it."

Son, search for wisdom with all your heart -- I would start my search with God.