Day 32: Parenting Wisdom from Proverbs

“Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” (Proverbs 27:2, ESV)

She danced and twirled, a lovely little being with deep dimples gracing both cheeks. I watched her, proud and thankful to be her mama.

She had asked me one day, “Mama, is it wrong to want to be a famous dancer?”

She's a person of beauty in every way, born to nurture others, serve them, and bring love into difficult lives. I couldn't help but notice how her personality and giftings matched her outward beauty. Often, when we had a disabled person in our home, she was the one who loved on her. And it was she who placed cookies before her father when he needed something to cheer him up.

“No, child, it's not wrong to want to be a famous dancer,” I told her. “God gives people gifts, and I think one of your gifts is to bring beautiful things into this world. Simply live for the glory of God, and all will be well.”

Can we teach our kids not to pursue human praise while at the same time leading them to realize that using their gifts brings much glory to God, who wants HIS goodness displayed?
Can we teach them that hiding their gifts is as prideful as boasting about them? That God simply wants people who are all out in a quest to walk close to His heart—and He means for his own beauty to be displayed in his people?

That it's not their own goodness on display, but God's—therefore, performing as well as possible means you are performing for the glory of God?

Eric Liddell said that when he ran, he felt the pleasure of God. He loved to run, but he was also willing to give it up for the sake of greater things. God used both Eric’s passion for running and his surrender of running to bring glory to Himself.

Always guide your child to know the heart of Jesus Christ, that wonderful Son of Man who walked among us so we might know Him. From there, walk under His smile, whether He leads you to enjoy your gifting or asks you to surrender it for a time.

​-Sara