Attic Living (and thunderstorms) Still Pearls and Costly Gems...

Anyone ever had not just one of those days, but one of those weeks? (of course everyone has) So this blog writer has been missing in action for several days. Not that this blog wasn't on my mind. I even attempted to start writing a few times...only to have to leave it alone again.  I can tell you the theme that fit my life best over the last week of proverbs was the one about the CONTENTIOUS WOMAN showing up through several chapters. Oh my, my, my...I wanted to move to an attic corner away from me myself!  

Wow, I would open my mouth and out would shoot words with a sharp edge. If I could have not spoken to people for a while...(I don't want to be mute honest! But I could have used a built in mute button)

I remember one morning getting kids ready for school, saying to my son, "you know that proverb about a crabby woman being like a constant dripping (does this refer to water torture-just a thought)? Well I am sorry. I feel like I have been like that." He casually said "Mom, you have been a thunderstorm!"                               
So it was a couple of non stop weeks so filled that I was taxed and maxed in all ways. But what does that tell me? It tells me something about priorities needing to be put in order. It tells me that God the Creator of all the Universe and everything in it, knowing how everything works best took a rest on the 7th day and declared we should too so He just might really mean what He said.

It takes active participation to not let things encroach our space. It might be weeds, dust, people, pets, illness, things, work demands, ministry. It isn't all bad stuff. We just need to have it prioritized and leave some R&R time. Of course people needing me makes me feel loved and useful and is better than the alternative of loneliness and no people or the inability to even be mobile. I have to realize the universe may not stop running without my feet constantly running, but eventually my little world around me will stop running well, and so will I, if I don't pace myself better.

So that crankiness and impatience even though we don't want to live in that place, might just be an indication of taking time for better scheduling and prioritizing (and dare I say it some time for you). Someone once told me "Lea, God made you a human being not a human doing". Hard for someone whose bent is acts of service to wrap her mind around.

Find some time for rest today. Carve those moments. Snatch them as gifts from God who is smiling on you today and loves you enough to want you to enjoy abundant life...

FIRE!!! (that purifies)

                    


The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.
proverbs 17:3 

                                                                                                                                                                               http://prayerpups.com/

There are leaf burning piles or bonfires both hopefully contained and as long as they are used properly safe. Gas stoves, furnaces and fireplaces are useful. There are destructive fires like a housefire or forest fire or wildfire. And there are refining fires to purifiy metals...

So what do your fires look like? You know...your walking life out day by day experience fires.
Because you know what we all have them of one sort or another because we are humans in a still fallen world. And lest you think lots of money will prevent them I would like to challenge that thought not because I think money is an evil commodity or doesn't make life easier. I think money can mask much.
Through a ridiculous experience with a scam, we ended up with some magazines we wouldn't normally buy. You know ones that keep the general population up on what is happening with the society of the rich and famous of Hollywood. Normally we toss them-gasp! Well there are a couple reasons for that. One is I am not all that interested in the gossip and people bashing that happens in them. I am also just sad and embarrassed for the ones the articles are spreading wildfire about. See they do have their fires...Do I want all my troubles out there mistold, hyped about for millions to discuss? What a lack of privacy (which is why I want to be real in my writing but also make sure I am protecting the privacy of those who are part of my life dealings).

Today I heard again about the 3 Hebrew men who refused to bow down to the kings idol so got tossed into the fire. The one the king had his guys make 7x's hotter to intimidate these three into bowing. Nope, did not bow! Take a moment to be in awe of that committment.
Not many of us have that fire to face. I know in other nations some do face incredible persecution for being a follower of Jesus. Though as we move into end times only God knows the measure of what we will face here.

But aside from that what are the normally fiery trials that are there to prove our faith? Can I just pull it close? What about sick kids and school....there is a whole world of fire packed into that sometimes...What about sickness and disability in general that seems to go on and haven't quite seen total healing yet so still have to manage. Maybe you have elder care to manage. Maybe you are the elderly one not wanting to burden anyone or give up independence.What about losing loved ones to death or divorce? Job loss. Mortgage payments. Teenagers, toddlers, infants...Overwhelming decisions to make. Loneliness. Slander. Car trouble.  What about hearing from God about a call on your life but you are finding yourself not walking in that supposed glorious picture of a call and are wondering why you are working a "regular" job...Hearing Satans sinister whisper "Did God really say?"...Walking in integrity....

Will I believe God in my hard, no fruit on the vine yet, sickness, broken relationship experiences. Let's take it to this. Will I believe in my fire that God WILL prosper the work of my hands. That He IS Jehovah Jireh my Provider. That He IS Jehovah Raphah my God Who (stitches me up and makes me whole) Healer. That He IS Yahweh Shalom my Peace. That He IS Immanuel my God Who IS with me and so on! Will I believe that in my fire like the 3 who said of  their fire..."We know our God is..." Will I endure testing and put His word to the test?
Will I be found first made pure by the sacrifice Jesus  made for me and then again by holding tight when I feel my world is crashing in and maybe really is for awhile...will I say like the 3 "my God is able to deliver me" and not assume when it doesn't happen in MY time frame that He has left the scene but rather is in fact walking in the fire with me?
Gold is not refined by itself...Get that. It is processed by fire and watched over as it is purified. The fire of purification is particularly hot. The melting point of gold is 1064.18 degrees c or 1947.52 degrees f. Don't mistake me and think I am accusing God of purposely raining fire on me as a game of "Will She Endure". He doesn't play cat and mouse with us. But life will present many opportunities to test, prove and purify. No testimony without the test. No pushing impurities to the surface for skimming off without the fire.

Sigh...I wonder with this cheery word if anyone will ever read me again! Thank you to Jeffrey Smith for the use of his Prayer Pups cartoon. You can click his link right below it to find more.
Be blessed sweet people of God. Have a wonderful weekend. Sometimes it just helps to know the stuff happening to me will be made to work for my good even when it feels like it will be the end of me! And it also helps to remember not all of life is trials and fires.

Broken Horses and Armor Bearers

                                                         

          The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility Proverbs 15:35

       Anyone out there ever said,thought,or heard "You're not the boss of me!"?
            That is the opposite of what that verse is talking about up above.

Most of the time the word humility seems to be looked at as something related to embarrassment (like "I was so humiliated") or a lesser position in esteem and identity(almost like a slave). Humility has different synonyms and one I like is the word meekness. Long ago I heard a teaching on meekness. It was described as "power under control".
The example was a powerful wild stallion who came under ownership and was broken to put the power to use. Not broken like destroyed and beaten up and mistreated. But broken to be used in higher ways. This type of horse held position, was cared for, could win contests, be taken into battle, was trustworthy, could be counted on to carry out commands, bear weight, precious cargo and officers, even kings.
This keeps bringing to mind the concept of the Armor Bearer. There are whole books and sermons on this that I have only heard snatches of. The role of Armor Bearer is so important! This is a person who holds his power under control to serve the one in command. Someone who knows how to hold position and doesn't try to rip or undermine the position from the one over them to take it for themselves. Starting to sound like the fruit of the spirit now. This is a person who knows how to serve the one in direct command over them. A few examples in my eyes would be Joshua serving Moses, Elisha serving Elijah, Ruth serving Naomi, Abigail with her husband Nabal, Esther with her Uncle Mordecai,with the palace advisor over women being presented to the king, with the King himself...Like I said I haven't studied the armor bearer completely but the concept is there.
Humility isn't a matter of low self esteem or being a nothing or doormat. It is the person who knows who they are and puts themselves in position to help carry out a vision without making a name for themselves.
Jesus is the very best example for us. He never doubted who He was no matter what others said about Him or to Him. Did He hang around for abuse or never answer back those who accused Him? There were times He would answer so wisely! Times He would slip through the crowd and go on His way avoiding being stoned by the crazy crowds. He knew He was King yet didn't fall to the peoples demands for what that king should look like and do. Of course when it was time He did yield to beatings, embarrassing shouts, then painful crucifixion for us!  Philippians 3 says we are to have the same mind He did when He laid aside heaven and glory to serve us and His Father.
"...He made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death,even death on the cross."
Remember this is not saying wives submit to being beat up. I do not believe God is advocating submission to abuse in the concept of humbling or submitting.
Jesus came to give His life as a ransom for many. Anyway back to the verse
"Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name...."
Have a beautiful day! Remember the One who loved you so much He gave His life for you and let Him know how thankful you are...

I Will Not Envy My Neighbors Green Thumb-Pearls and Costly Gems

 The wise woman builds her house...
the foolish one tears it down with her own hands...proverbs  14:1


I am running slim on how to keep pulling verses from our daily proverbs reading that mention jewelry to keep with the gem theme of this devotional, I decided to make this one a picture of a Sapphire just because. I guess I could still run pictures of crowns since surprisingly they are mentioned quite a bit through the 31 chapters. Really any bit of wisdom I gain from proverbs is a "gem".
Even though there are verses in todays reading alone that are well used for messages time and again, the kind of thing I want to write about which doesn't have a particular place to land on in chapter 14, is my struggle with "neighbor envy". As in I shall not envy my neighbors oh so green and creative thumb. I shall not compare my landscaping skills with hers because my skills fall so short of even my own expectations of how I should care for my yard. Which brings me to identity and how do I not have a crisis in my identity in this area. I feel like I am not a good representative of God with a crummy yard. Not doing my part to tend the garden so to speak. Is that really how God sees it though? Yep this cheery monday morning post is fairly dripping with self condemnation...
The change from winter to spring does have its transitional woes. I am glad to have the piles of snow that made our 8th of a mile long driveway navigation only for the brave of heart (or perhaps desperately driven) finally melted! However those drifts did cover a multitude of sins in my yard which are sadly now exposed for all to see.
We have a Puppy named Piper, which I still try to tell myself was a good idea to get when we did. She is a sweet tempered dog. She is also large and puppy clumsy and has been allowed to develop the habit of using the very front yard as the worlds largest doggy outhouse. And I did say she is large so her piles are corresponding in size. (much as I hate to I will take responsibility for the poor training she has gotten)I am the owner of two pooper scoopers one which has been repaired at least twice from wearing out on the job. Then there is the fact that she detirmined for what ever reason to use my solar garden lights as her chew toy challenge leaving those remnants behind here and there. Then there is the burning pile (ok I will guiltily admit that living in the country, we do burn stuff from time to time like paper with info you don't want found in garbage dumps and sometimes poopy disiposable diapers...) Piper is delighted to find gross things and drag them to the front yard shredding them and then of course leaving them.
All of this mixed with the general dreary, not yet green grass, along with wet leaves and branches dropped from storms, randomly growing twiglets of rose of sharon trees still gray in color and some piles of things left along the fence from (You know what even I do not know what they are from! Some kind of work projects and ramps for snow boards among other things) do not have me motivated unfortunately, but instead somewhat oppressed.
So today the scripture speaking to me the most is this from Isaiah 41:9a-10
...you are My servant,
I have chosen you and have not cast you away:
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
I feel so much better now! My imperfect yard does not keep me from His acceptance and choosing me...or YOU in whatever you are dealing with. We all have our stuff we think cuts us off. But really even sin has provision made for it to bring us back to Him. ( you know the if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness 1 John 1:9 provision)
This new day of the week, be blessed! Let Him help clean the yard of your heart and fill you with His presence and I will do the same! Actually I hope you got off to a better start than I did in the first place...

Rings of Gold- Pearls and Costly Gems

 ...A gracious woman retains honor, but ruthless men retain riches... proverbs 11:16

...As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a lovely woman who lacks discretion... proverbs 11:22   

All of us know of people who are lovely on the outside but quite the opposite inside which naturally shows itself in how they behave. Scripture tells us it is as absurd as putting something fine, pure and precious in the nose of an animal that smells, rolls in muck and and eats garbage. We tend to be pretty distant overall from the process of the meats we eat, assuming we are meat eaters that is, but there was a phase when our kids were young that we had a "pet pig". It was a surprise for one of our daughters who just happened to really, really, really want one. Since we lived in an area that allowed for farm animals, we secretly prepared a pen. Her Daddy, 2 two of her brothers and their friend went off to the Lake County fair to secure a piglet. By the time they got home with the "prize" they all had headaches from the smell while traveling in the van with a pig in a box. You know piglets grow up, get big and stay messy. Piercing the nose of that pig and putting fine jewelry in it would be the last thing we would think of doing! Our pretty, sterile pictures of how things will be, so many times get blown away by real life.
We also know people who the world doesn't consider to be airbrushed pretty but there is something captivating about them. They sparkle and have qualities about them that attract us to them. We trust them and like to be around them. They live the saying "pretty is as pretty does".
I kind of think our appearance is a picture frame to our life. It adds to our life the way a frame adds to a picture displayed on a wall. It isn't the picture but an enhancement to it. A frame that is gorgeous does not make an ugly picture prettier really. It is simply a gorgeous frame. Carrying that just a bit further. I can be a sweet person but dress inappropriately for occasions framing my life in a way that detracts from the picture or sends a wrong message about who I am.
I am not a person that thinks we should dress from another century where women wear dresses only, never wear makeup, or cut their hair. God placed us uniquely in this generation. I still believe in modesty however and think we can find style that's fresh, fun, attractive and not lust provoking.
A gracious woman will conduct herself with kindness, respect and sensitivity. Basically the fruit of the Spirit. I know I miss the mark on that sometimes. I have my times I want to excuse as menopausal moodies or PMS peevishness, childcare crankiness...Frankly sometimes those are legitimate mood altering experiences but what I do with the fallout matters. Do I repent? Do I look to restore and recover not just the situation but put myself in a place where I can regroup and regain strength and composure? Yeah not always perfect with all that either but it is a heart goal and those are the things that build graciousness and discretion in our lives. Have a blessed weekend! Remember you are a blessing!

Pillars In The Storms- Pearls and Costly Gems

 Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars...proverbs 9:1
Well here I am having not finished yesterday to post and today is promising to be busy too. I heard a great message today as I was coming home from taking Lily to school. It was about not making "friends with our storms". You know not hanging out with them but hanging out with Jesus instead, the One Who takes us through them and speaks to them and they stop. Usually the storm is designed to make us stop as we are on our way to where He has us going. It was a timely and encouraging word. So back to where I left off yesterday:

What do you suppose the purpose of Wisdom's pillars would be? And why seven? Honestly I am not that deep of a Bible Scholar but do like to check out the background for things and meaning of words. In Isaiah 11:2 are found the following seven things that would rest upon Jesus. The Spirit of the LORD, the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, of counsel, of might, of knowledge and fear of the LORD.
While columns or pillars may be decorative, a pillars purpose is to bear and help spread the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. They may even be designed to resist the stressful conditions of earthquake or winds. Anyone dealing with some things feeling like too much weight, or maybe storms or earthshifting lately?
Revelation 3:11-12a says "Behold I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God..."
Heavenly Father, today I pray not just for me but those I love, those who take time to be reading these words, those who love you and who YOU LOVE SO MUCH...Father may the above 7 things that rested upon Jesus rest on us today. May they be strong pillars in our life that keep us upright and standing, bearing things that are ours to bear. Let the storms take the things that are not designed to be part of our structures and what is from You remain strong. Our foundation is in You and You are NEVER shaken. You are always with us. Thank You. We love You. Amen
If you get a chance to read Proverbs 10 please do. I am not commenting on it today. Be blessed! You are a blessing!

The Voice- Pearls and Costly Gems

 ...Listen for I will speak of excellent things...proverbs 8:6a

   Did you ever notice how many voices clamour for our attention? And how many times we use our voice to get someone to hear us? Naturally as kids want us to listen, they have an ability to project their voices quite a ways. But it isn't just kids...I noticed the commercials on TV actually get louder than the program I was watching. I am guessing the advertisers know we will be leaving the room to get snacks or tend to something so they elevate to grab at our ears as we go.

     Then there are our spouses if we are married. Let's face it,women are shown in general to have more words to use up in a day than men so may need a good listening ear when a husband comes home. Frankly there were days I used so many commands, corrections, comfort and clarifications raising children I had a word deficiet by the end of the day. I remember one day my diaphragm hurt from pushing so much air through my lungs to form words!

     We have employers speaking to us, telephones ringing, friends and family, music, sounds of traffic- well you get what I am saying. I love being able to hear don't get me wrong. My point is that we have so many voices crying out we might not be hearing the voice Proverbs is talking about. The voice of Wisdom. She calls out a little differently than most of the others.
     She calls out from the pages of scripture. That means we need to read it and hear it because her crying out doesn't shout noisily at me or rudely push itself on me. Remember "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness". She calls out from the hill top (our renewed minds) from the place where paths meet (where we have choices to make) at the gates and doorways (double checking our coming and going).
     She lives with someone named Prudence (good judgement and foresight) and hangs out with Knowledge and Discretion. She is fine enough to rule from Kings palaces and is a personal possession of the Most High God working with Him on all of creation from before the beginning. She invites us to hang out at her door and doesn't threaten us with no trespassing signs. She is easily entreated. She is a voice well worth cultivating an ear for.
     I listen for so many things. The voices of those I love, I still turn in public places if I hear a child call mom or cry. My newborn breathing from the crib. The right pitch in a song. What a customer really is wanting. A phone call letting me know my adult kids got home safely or a call in the middle of the night when my teens are sleeping over somewhere. A door closing letting me know they are back home. I am attentive to hear those certain sounds above all others...I want to be just as attentive to hear the voice of wisdom from the pages of scripture...
Blessings!

Engraved Hearts- Pearls and Precious Gems

...treasure My commands within you...write them on the tablet of your heart.
the book of proverbs chapter 7

The word write in the scripture above can also be translated inscribe.To inscribe is to engrave or etch something making a lasting mark. Looking over the last week of Proverbs it seems to first be a schooling on what is needed most in life (getting wisdom and using it). Injected in the what wisdom is and what it does for us are examples of people to watch out for- those enticing sinners, examples of how to treat others- like being good to your neighbors, avoiding uncalled for strife and the envy of wicked people.

We left off for the weekend at the end of Proverbs 4. I don't know if anyone went on to read 5 and 6 just to stay on track with matching the chapter to the date this month. What I noticed though, was days 5-7 very definitely deal with people relationships. In particular male/female with a few other relationships concerning financial matters seemingly tossed in. Also couched in chapter 6 is the note worthy list of 7 things that God hates. Take time to look that over if you didn't already.

There are things we should listen to and things we should not. There are also things we should use our mouths to speak and things we should not. There are places we may safely go and places we should avoid. There are things we should look at and keep before our eyes and things we should turn our gaze from.

If I am a man (I am not) I need to be aware that I am going to set my guard up at the ear gate and also the eye gate in the sense that words can appeal to my need for respect. Hence the warning about the harlots seductive, flattering words and the way she dresses. She may even appeal to his "religious" standards! (do not be ignorant of Satan's devices and don't think just because you may be a Christian and be married you are completely immune). Scripture basically says "run for your life" from this woman! Don't suppose you are to be her knight and rescue her from her miserable life and will remain unscathed.

As a woman, on the other hand, I need to be aware of how I affect men by my words,dress and actions. I also need to be sure I am keeping myself for my husband in all ways. (Even if  and maybe even especially if I am in a strained marriage it matters how I conduct myself) If you are not currently married the scripture tells you your "Maker is your husband" Isaiah 54

Why was this woman in chapter 7 pretending to be "right with God" but offering herself to another man? Why was she making a romantic atmosphere in the home she shared with her husband for another man? Why was she preparing her appearance for another? And using her words to build another mans ego?

Look I know there could have been unmet needs for this woman but take a look at Abigail(1 Samuel 25) in her relationship with a husband who was known for being churlish (now there is a word for you to look up!) and a fool (his name even means Fool from what I understand). See how she carried herself in her relationships as a wise woman.

God does not want people to be ruined so He goes to great lengths to tell us how to avoid that. So let's inscribe His words on our hearts. Let's let them rest deep and monitor all we do and think and find the benefits of wisdom surrounding us.

Blessings!

Crown of Glory- Pearls and Precious Gems

 ...a crown of glory she will deliver to you...proverbs 4:9a
There is of course not normally a physical crown delivered to us by exalting wisdom but there is something of glory that rests on us when we walk in wisdom. That was recognized in Josephs life when he was a young man even though he didn't seem to live in honorable conditions what with being sold by his brothers to be a slave and later falsely accused of going after Potiphars wife then getting thrown into prison. What he did was to continue to walk uprightly. To conduct himself wisely when he had every opportunity to become bitter and mean. In time (it seems like it took a very long time) he was elevated to second in command in Egypt, just under the Pharoh himself. He was used in a strategic position to preserve two nations; Israel and Egypt...His legacy lives on. We speak of him today and use his life as an example of how to live well to make right and wise choices when everything seems to be against us.
Proverbs 4:6-9 says of wisdom
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.
Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
She will place on your head an ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you.
I just wonder what would happen if we begin making a practice of asking for wisdom every day if we haven't been already. To begin recognizing our need for it and crying out for it- every day.
King Solomon saw his need for wisdom above all other things and God honored him by his request for it. Most of the writings in Proverbs are from Solomon and even though I realize I have been reading it as a mom talking to her son, it really is wise father leaving wise instruction written for his son to refer to time and again so it's not just words in one ear and out the other.
They can be taken into his heart.
God bless you with wisdom this weekend. Be blessed!

Precious Rubies - Pearls and Costly Gems

Happy is the man who finds wisdom...she is more precious than rubies...proverbs 3
Have you ever wondered what the value of rubies would be? I admire jewelry but haven't been much of a purchaser frankly. So I looked it up. Online. I love being able to do that!

Rubies are the world’s most expensive gemstones, the best Burmese rubies being valued more than an equivalent-sized flawless diamond.¹ The world record paid at auction for a ruby is U.S. $3.63 million in 1988 for a 15.97 carat Burmese ruby (U.S. $227,300 per carat). (By comparison, a 62 carat flawless diamond recently sold for just over U.S. $8 million, or U.S. $130,000 per carat.)
from report by Dr. Andrew Snelling

Seems like something I should pay attention to then. God does not say He will lavish me with rubies but delights in giving me something far more valuable than that! He tells me the "fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom". Remember the treasure hunt I would send my kids and their friends on? There was a place to start. So our place to start is with the fear of the LORD. Something that seems to be missing in many places now a days. Its that recognition of honor and reverence due to the Most High who made all things including me and knows how it should all work.
 Some of the outcomes of wisdom walking are length of days, riches, honor, peaceful paths, pleasantness, a tree of life, happiness, grace, safety,sweet sleep, freedom from fear of sudden terror or trouble from the wicked because my confidence is in the LORD.
You know I really can't buy all those things. There are things that promise they can give one or another of them maybe. For instance, new shoes do make me happy for a while!! They won't keep me safe though. They won't prolong my life. They might give me a touch of status but not really honor and there is no guarantee they will keep me safe on my path. I can hope to walk gracefully in them but they won't bring  grace overall. They may carry me to my occupation and home again and be an asset to my business wardrobe but they really won't make me money. Maybe I will fall asleep with a smile over my new shoes but can not promise me peaceful sleep.

We are told in scripture that in quietness and confidence He will be our peace. That joy in Him is our strength.We are told above it is wisdom that makes us secure. I don't believe God is opposed to our having things but rather to things having us by the way. I don't think we should hide ourselves in our things but in the shelter of the Most High. I think if we are going to hoard or stock pile things they should be hoarded in the heavenly realm. Yet I do think there is common sense financially to be used while we are here on earth. But even that is from wisdom! So then let's keep seeking, knocking and asking. He promised it to us after all.

Treasure Hunting - Pearls and Costly Gems

...Search for her as for hidden treasure...book of Proverbs 2:4a
One of the favorite things we would do for the kids birthday parties was to set up a treasure hunt. Lots of clues (they rhymed depending on how energetic and creative I was) that sent them from place to place running off energy until they finally found what was usually their goodie bags.
They had to follow the clues to find their "treasure"
God is telling us in Proverbs 2 that Wisdom is to be sought after like treasure.
Here are  His "clues":
Receive My words
Treasure My commands
Incline your ear to wisdom
Apply your heart to understanding
Cry out for discernment
Lift up your voice for understanding
Seek her as silver
Search for her as treasure

That is all pretty active participation. In other words He isn't just dropping it down on us. In James we are told if we lack wisdom we should ask and He will give it to us but we are not supposed to doubt....

Proverbs 2 goes on to tell us what we will find if we do the above. So I encourage you to read it (all of the rest of chapter 2) for yourselves. Remember reading or at least hearing in history class about the people who left everything to pan for gold? They spent all day long in all kinds of weather hoping for a gold strike. I know we are busy, busy, busy! Thats why these devos get started early, saved, then finished when I can sqeeze in more time later in the day...but take some crying out, lifting up voice, inclining ear, applying heart time today or maybe tonight. Just think the Creator of the Universe who knows how everything works and knows all about us and loves us, wants to meet with us!!!

Ornaments of Grace-Pearls and Costly Gems

For they will be a graceful ornament on your head

and chains about your neck...The book of Proverbs 1:9

Today we will begin looking at a gem of wisdom from the book of Proverbs corresponding with the date. The verse right before this one is a mother instructing her son to listen to those who care most for him, his parents. A listening that hears the heart of the speaker.
When those instructions and "laws" are given and put into practice they will be like the laurel wreath put on the head of someone who finishes the race in first place. Something that makes those around take notice of you. An ornament of grace that comes from living in the wisdom of God.

I have to admit I did not realize until I was a parent, the investment my parents had in me. There are different kinds of investment. It isn't all about money. I would be foolish though, to ignore that there is definitely a large monetary investment.  I have had my heart wrapped up in my own children, have had the majority of my time, had lost hours of sleep, wept, prayed and fasted, disciplined and rewarded, fed and clothed, carpooled and counseled, nursed sick ones to health, endeavored to impart God's principles and heart, and sanctified myself for not just myself but for them. Until all of that, I did not realize my parents primary purpose in instruction was not to make life easy on themselves and hard on me. That is just a laughable thought now that I have been a parent! (alright I would be also foolish to not recognize a well disciplined child does make my life easier too and also that there is great joy in raising children )

I want my kids to live well. To do that they need wisdom and until they know to ask God for that it is my part as a parent to get wisdom from God for me, then I can live it and impart it to them. This does not guarantee no bumps in the road or side tracking when they enter the years of wondering and  maybe wandering before making my God their own who they know. It does give them the keys and foundation to prevent a world of misery though and to walk in favour and grace with God and man as they grow.