Some time ago, I was emailed a page of “wise sayings” … Well, sort of. A first grade teacher collected them over the years. She gave her classes part of an old “proverb” and let them fill in the rest. Following are some I thought you might enjoy. Remember these are first graders.
As you shall make your bed so shall you … mess it up.
Better be safe than … punch a fifth grader.
Strike while the … bug is close.
Don’t bite the hand that looks dirty.
A miss is as good as a Mr.
You can’t teach an old dog new … math.
A penny saved is … not much.
It’s always darkest before … Daylight Savings Time.
You can lead a horse to water but how?
Children should be seen and not spanked or grounded.
If at first you don’t succeed … get new batteries.
Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and … you have to blow your nose.
As much as we enjoy the wisdom of children let me encourage you to move beyond these first grade “proverbs” to a portion of Scripture specifically designed to give godly wisdom for godly living-the Book of Proverbs. At the beginning of his writing, the author, Solomon, clearly states that the purpose of his proverbs are: for attaining wisdom and for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life … for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young. Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance … The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Proverbs I:2-7).
In this day who doesn’t need wisdom, understanding, discretion, and prudence?
Eugene Peterson well says that the Proverbs give us the skills we need “in honoring our parents and raising our children, handling our money and conducting our sexual lives, going to work and exercising leadership, using words well and treating friends kindly, eating and drinking healthily, cultivating emotions within ourselves and attitudes towards others that make for peace. Threaded through all these items is the insistence that the way we think of and respond to God is the most practical thing we do.”
I encourage you to read the Proverbs. Read them privately. The thirty-one chapters make for a nice chapter-a-day reading throughout the month. Before you read ask God to open your heart to the truth of His Word. Keep a pencil and paper close by. Some of the proverbs will jump from the page and attach themselves to a particular area of your life. Read them publicly. How about reading a chapter with your husband or wife at the beginning or end of the day? Looking something to read during your family devotions? Selected (and age-appropriate) Proverbs are great for family instruction and discussion. Read Proverbs and gain God’s instruction for down-to-earth godly living.