Pr. 10:1 A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
When people choose to have children, they open themselves to the potential of extreme pain. Most people know and understand this when they or are to become parents.
Those who do not anticipate this are the people who complain about parenthood; they complain about the sacrifices they have to make and the difficulty of their lives.
Many people have kids because “that’s what people do”. They get married, have 2.5 kids and 1.5 dogs and a white picket fence. Parenthood entails guiding and shaping the lives of their children.
While there’s nothing wrong with these things, acquiring them for no reason is foolish – especially having kids.
Proverbs 10:1 recognizes the relationship between the actions of children and the emotional contentment of parents.
The two are inextricably linked. You cannot have one without the other.
When a child behaves poorly, it is an embarrassment to the parents. It makes parents look bad. How often have you seen a poorly behaved child and thought “Where are the parents?”
Keep this in mind with the way you act in public. You are not just representing yourself. You are representing your family and you are representing God.
Our parents and our God are saddened when we behave poorly and foolishly. It should be our goal to act wisely not just for our own benefit, but for the net benefit of our family.
The call to be wise echoes throughout various scriptures, emphasizing the value of wisdom, virtue, and good conduct. Acting wisely brings not just personal fulfillment but also contributes to familial harmony and societal well-being.
Our actions have a wider impact than we know. And by acting wisely, our actions have an outsized effect on our lives and the lives of others.
Key Takeaways for Life and Faith
Respect and Thankfulness: Honor the sacrifices and love of parents by living virtuously and bringing them joy through wise choices.
Personal Accountability: Recognize the impact of your actions on family dynamics and societal perceptions.
Acquire Wisdom: Seek wisdom and guidance in decision-making, knowing that wise actions bring joy and blessings to oneself and others.
Reflect Godly Character: Live in a manner that reflects God’s values and teachings, bringing honor to your family and faith.
Be Wise.
Conduct Yourselves Like Men.
