Life Training From the Wisest Man Who Ever Lived

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (ESV) Every Monday you'll find a new verse of the week on the right sidebar.  Since Proverbs For Life was not quite ready to roll out on Monday, I am doing it today instead. This verse is the one I am teaching my children this week.  Precious A and Princess L are a bit older so they will memorize both verses, but the little men are going to work on the first part...trust the Lord with all your heart. I chose this verse for a couple of reasons.  The first is because of where I am at this point of my life.  There are so many days I feel inadequate to do what God has called me to do and be in all the different areas of responsibility I have.  If I struggle with knowing the right things to do with my kids how can I encourage others?  I not by nature a structured person; how can I stick to a home-schooling … [Read more...]

Proverbs 14:4  Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests. (NIV) I read this verse just the other day and it made me laugh.  As I have gotten older I have become a little more obsessive compulsive about messiness in my house.  It drives me a little bonkers when there is stuff everywhere.  With 6 people and one very large dog, messes are a part of my daily life.   Laundry piles up quickly. The dishes are never completely done.  Toys get played with and left out. Little Man just finished potty training.  The dog makes a good target for food they don't like.   Because we home school Princess L, the table always has a pile of books on it. I love this verse because it reminds me that the benefits of having my four little blessings is worth all the mess they create.  They are my legacy.  They are my abundant harvest that I hope to reap one day.   While the mess may drive me nuts at times, I wouldn't trade it for a … [Read more...]

Proverbs 4:7 The beginning of wisdom is this; get wisdom, and though it cost all you have, get understanding. (NIV) When I read Proverbs, I am a bit overwhelmed at the number of times the command to get wisdom, insight, or understanding is given.  I mean what is wisdom anyway, and how can I get it?  Once I have it what on earth am I supposed to do with it? Proverbs is very clear where wisdom starts, Proverbs 1:7 says that the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. When I hear the word fear, I think monster in the closet, get me out of here, scary stuff in here fear. (Oh! My kids would have fun with that!! Hey it rhymes!) But that is not at all what this word fear means. Let me use an illustration to make this kind of fear clear. (Okay, I'll stop with the rhyming now) My youngest son is in awe of Superman, so much so that he has fallen in love with him. Every day he asks to wear his superman suit.  He runs with his little arms extended out in front of him fists clenched … [Read more...]

Welcome to Proverbs for Life. Proverbs for Life has grown out of my desire to be intentional in the way I raise my children when they are surrounded by influences that encourage them to just go with the flow.  Becoming men and women of character doesn't just happen.  It is the result of training and consistency.  And to be really honest, it is excruciatingly hard, often times boring and mundane,  frequently overwhelming, and always worth the effort. This site is to encourage you on your journey by sharing with you mine. It is also meant to be a tool to help you be more thoughtful about how you are living your life. By implementing the wisdom found in Proverbs, I hope we can see past the daily routines and glimpse the divine workings around us. For a more in depth definition of the site's purpose please read the About page.   … [Read more...]