Borrowed Wise Words

Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.  Proverbs 1:7
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God has created so many people who are wise and smart and talented, and their gifts are meant to guide and inspire us. I have a journal where I write down wise words and great thoughts from people or reading or scripture that teach me something and touch my heart.  Every once in a while, I’ll read through the journal and see what jumps out at me.  It’s funny how things I completely forgot about grab my attention.   Today I thought I’d share some nuggets from wise and holy people hoping they might grab your attention too.
 
*In a world where we’re busy making noise and making a name, St. Paul reminded the Thessalonians to make it their mission to lead a quiet life.  Since the place we’ll find God is in the quiet, it seems like pretty wise advice.

*Famous theologian and priest Henry Nouwen sat down one afternoon with Mother Teresa seeking her wisdom.  He asked her how to grow in holiness and her reply was simple, “Enjoy an hour each day with the Lord and don’t to what you know is wrong.”  I suppose it doesn’t get much clearer than that does it!

*Scripture and saints are constantly reminding us to pray often.  Something changes when we pray and it isn’t always our circumstances, sometimes it’s our disposition and our willingness to give God control.  I suppose my response should be Lord, help me pray for what YOU want and not what I want. 

*The clay doesn’t tell the potter what to make, the clay waits to be molded and fashioned into the masterpiece the potter plans.  Lord, help me remember I’m a lump of clay desperately waiting for you to turn me into something wonderful that brings you glory.

*Is your faith your priority or your hobby?

*Focus and pray hard about telling the truth.  There are two reasons we lie to each other, the first is to get something we don’t deserve and the second is to get out of something we do deserve.  Lord, help me desire an honest, humble heart.

*Whatever behavior we choose, we become stronger in.  If we choose to worry, we become stronger worriers.  If we choose to complain, we become expert complainers.  Focus on the opposite behavior.  The opposite of worry is trust.  The opposite of complaining is praise.  Praise is not a denial of pain it’s a decision to trust in the suffering.
 
A Seed To Plant: Choose one of the ideas that hit your heart and sit with it in prayer this week.
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Blessings on your day!