We have been making an effort to include family reading of Scripture in our day. My husband’s choice for regular visitation is Proverbs, as this is considered to be a “book of wisdom” for daily living and the 31 chapters make it easy to locate the daily reading which matches the date.
As part of our home-schooling routine, I try to begin the day with our reading in order to (hopefully) draw our hearts toward God’s Word and His instruction to His children. After looking at the chapter together, each child is asked what verse(s) grabbed his/her attention…and why.
One statement which I’ve been personally mulling over is:
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 19:11 (ESV)
The King James Translation words it this way:
The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
A similar thought from Proverbs 12:16 (ESV):
The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.
Ouch.
While it is easy to identify the easily offended when watching social interactions of others, I cannot ignore the fact that I have a tendency to keep track of who said what and whether my husband/child etc responded to me in the way I feel I “deserve”.
Upon closer inspection, these supposed attacks are usually not even intentional, but simply an oversight or area of immaturity–or a result of my own hypersensitivity. If I’m honest, I have to ask: who doesn’t have a blind spot or two with regard to the way our words or actions affect others? Is it really so important to keep score?
Jesus’ instruction about asking the Father to forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors comes to mind here…and His words regarding the individual who is without sin being able to “cast the first stone”.
I think learning to effectively apply just this one Scriptural truth could keep me occupied for many, many months.
And so say all of us! (of ourselves, not you)
Perhaps the tendency is an inescapable aspect of being human?
It’s nice to hear from you Angela
I hope you are well.
This was such a good post.I am glad you shared this. I have a tendency to be hypersensitive and mistaken an awful lot. There are a couple posts I wrote that come to my mind that address this a little. I think I will re-post them.
“After looking at the chapter together, each child is asked what verse(s) grabbed his/her attention…and why.”
Would it embarrass your children if you shared with your readers the verses they each selected? I miss those precious times I had with the children when they were little. As young adults mine still like to share their thoughts with me on various issues, but there is just something special about the things that are impressed on little children’s hearts…
Blessings,
Theresa
Hello Theresa! I expect you’ve been busy with your studies and all the accompanying changes.
Sadly, I know self-exalting pride is at the root of my own struggle in this area.
I could ask my kids if they are willing for me to share their thoughts. It really is enlightening sometimes to hear from a child’s perspective how simple and straightforward certain passages can be.
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oooo . . .had a conversation tonight. I felt I was being mocked somewhat. Now, well . . .so what? haha! Thank you so much and God bless you and yours as you study and share His word!
Welcome Debbie,
Not being take seriously is a hard one for me, too. I always end up feeling rather foolish when I’m done making a huge deal over how important I thought my perspective was.
Thank you for commenting and I hope the Lord richly blesses your study as well