When I was a little girl, my parents were setting up a fence in our backyard. Before they could put the new one up however, there were some things in our yard that needed to be taken out. One in which was an old fence post. My parents told me not to run around by it, as around it they had dug a deep hole in preparation to remove it. I did not fully listen to their wise advice. I continued to run near this hole, with a pole sticking out from the ground below it. I was so fixated in what I wanted to do, that I wound up hurting myself in the process. For as I ran, I stopped looking ahead in where I was going. I ended up running and falling into that hole. The old post bar stabbing my leg. I screamed in pain. Despite that I got hurt by not listening, my mom frantically came to my rescue. She immediately started to clean me up. It was then revealed, that stitches were a must. After a trip to the hospital, I was all taken care of. It left a pretty large scar on my leg for a while. As I have aged, it becomes less noticeable. To be honest, God is kind. Everything could have been so much worse. I am grateful that it was not. Some things we cannot avoid, other things we can. None of this whole ordeal, would have happened, If I would have just truly listened to wise instruction. Truly obeyed my parents. It is amazing how many things can be avoided if we just listen to wise teachings.

 I share this as a reminder. It is so easy to want to be so fixated on what we want, that at times, we hurt ourselves at the expense of it. Some times what we want, goes against what wisdom teaches. What Gods’ word teaches us. Then when we have to suffer the consequences of our actions, we get mad at the hole that we put ourselves in. With no one to blame but ourselves. It was not my parent’s fault that I got hurt. I wasn’t paying attention; I wasn’t fully listening. I was old enough to know better. God was gracious that it did not end up being worse and that I healed relatively well. My mom showed me grace, as she sprang into action into helping me heal. I was showed so much love that day, despite my disobedience. I am sure my friend, that you can relate to the sentiment. We often put ourselves in holes of our own disobedience. How blessed we are to have a Father in Heaven, always ready and willing to save us. To help heal us from our own mistakes. Though we suffer consequences for our actions in one way or another; God is always ready to forgive if we ask and ready to help us. May we remember to fully listen to wise instructions. To fully obey His word in the first place. But if we mess up, remember to go to God who can help us mend, from our messes.

  There is a scar on my leg, that will forever remain. Though I remember not really the pain, but the lesson. That listening and obedience to wisdom; is better than the holes we find ourselves in, from not using discernment from the wisdom in which we are given. The wisdom that comes from Him, whom supplies.

Erin Fitts-Brower

Proverbs 12:15 NIV

The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.

Romans 12:2 NIV

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will.

James 1:5 NIV

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Matthew 7:24 NIV

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Proverbs 16:16 NIV

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!