First off, I want to apologize for something I said in my last post. I mentioned that "any good Christian" reads Proverbs every day. This was actually a weak attempt at humor. I realized after that some who don't know me may have taken it as arrogance. Please forgive me if I offended you. Thanks

A friend reminded me recently that Proverbs 1 though 7 is basically a conversation between a father and a son. If you notice the beginning of each chapter begins with "My son," or like today "Hear, O sons," Today I took notice of all the promises for a son(or daughter) who listens to his father. Check this out...from Proverbs 4...

4 "keep my commandments and live."
6 "she(wisdom) will keep you...she will guard you."
8 "she will exalt you...she will honor you."
10 "the years of your life may be many."
12 "When you walk, your step will not be hampered,
and if you run, you will not stumble."
22 For they are life to those who find them,
and healing to all their flesh."
26 "then all your ways will be sure."

A couple of thoughts hit my brain. First, the conversation that is happening here is a very intimate one. The father who is speaking seems to have the "heartbeat" of his son. It seems that they are very close. These kind of relationships don't just happen. They take hard work and are intentionally developed. You can apply this not only to the parent/child relationship but also husband/wife, and most importantly our relationship to God. If I am going to first hear God, then obey Him, and finally reap the benefits of His promises then I must work hard and intentionally plan to spend time with Him in relationship. If I am going to have the kind of marriage that reflects Christ to the world then I must plan to intentionally build my relationship with my wife. If I am going to have the ear of my sons so that they can experience the blessings listed above, I must labor to build a loving relationship with them so that they will seek to hear me.

The last thought that hits my brain is that there is no better better book on parenting than Proverbs. If you are struggling with any issue as a parent I challenge you to read through the Proverbs for 31 days and take note of all the parental advice and then start to apply it. I, for one, can use all the help I can get on being a good parent.

Travis