My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck.
Proverbs 1:8-9 NLT
My go-tos for devo'ing are the Psalms and Proverbs. Psalms give such an efficient voice to emotional experiences and constantly teaches me new ways and reasons to worship. The Proverbs are packed with wisdom for every day life. These verses in Proverbs don't miss.
This passage so lovingly directs us to obedience. The Word of God is always clear about obedience to our earthly parents. There's just something about the guidance and correction from someone who loves you, who created you, who carried you, who provided for you that just hits different. I know sometimes listening and obeying parents can be tough. You're grown (or almost) and decisions should be yours! Right? What I've come to understand about parents, or any adult for that matter, is that they have so much life experience. They have gone through so many different seasons and survived so many things that they can see hurt, pain, betrayal and mistakes a mile before they happen to you.
While circumstances may not always be the best, most parents always have the best intentions for their children. Another thing about lived experiences is that they can be very limited based on proximity or resources. When you're looking to launch out in a way that your parents didn't have the opportunity to, sometimes they can be fearful for you because it's a season or experience that they haven't lived and can't protect you in.
What I love about this passage is that it makes space for differences in opinion, while still requiring the honor of parents. Correction is necessary when we have gone against rules or regulations put in place by those who care for us. Listening when we're being corrected means that we get an understanding of what kinds of situations we placed ourselves in and can get a glimpse of a future that we haven't lived. Instruction from our parents is almost like a handbook for life that we haven't yet fully lived. There are so many things that we can learn, just by listening to and honoring and taking our parents seriously.
Both of my birth parents and my spiritual father are with Jesus. I miss them greatly. But what I carry inside of me is evidence of their rich legacies, the correction and the instruction from them all. Every day was NOT peachy, don't get me wrong. There were times I felt so misunderstood. There were times I felt they were wrong, and sometimes I went off script and did my own thing. But every single time (every time I say!) I came back to their wisdom and instruction and it led me right to where I was trying to go.
I'm currently under the mentorship of an amazing woman who mothers me, corrects me and instructs me. If you're like me and are parentless, or feel parentless, ask the Lord to direct you to someone who can help lead and guide you. Correction isn't fun and instruction can be frustrating when you don't want to follow it, but someone who is rooted and grounded in Christ and carries themselves with integrity and moral character will not steer you wrong. They will want the best for you. And the loudest sound they make will be cheering you on when you win.
The most important gain in honoring and obeying your earthly parents and/or leaders is how it makes obeying the Word of God that much easier.
What you see when with Queen Behavior is a crown of grace that came from years of wisdom, instruction and correction. Obedience to the God-given authority in your life will nurture and produce fruit like you could have never imagined. And who doesn't love a good crown and necklace?
I'd love to hear from you. What are some challenges when it comes to obedience? Sound off in the comments!
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I love yall. Talk soon.
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