Courageous Joy

PARENTING/DISCIPLINE IN PROVERBS - Chapter 11

11:2 "When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom."

~Guard against pride in parenting - do not discipline out of anger that a child has wounded my pride or tarnished my "reputation".

11:13 "He who walks about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy conceals a matter"

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

~These verses dovetail with yesterday's observation on gossip. Why do we think that God would give us a "free pass" with our children. I wouldn't reveal the secrets of my best friend....why would I reveal the secrets of my husband or children? I aim to be a woman of discretion and this certainly would apply in my interactions with my children as well.

11:14 "Where there is no guidance (KJ counsel) the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory (KJ safety)."

~First comes to mind the fact that the Bible is FULL of counselors for me to interact with and imitate.

~If I don't understand an issue of parenting there is NOTHING wrong with finding a godly counselor who can instruct me and mentor me in parenting...always remembering to guard the trust of my family.

11:29 - "He who troubles his own house will inherit wind, and the foolish will be servant to the wise hearted. "

~How could I trouble my house...lack of integrity, lack of discretion, lack of care and concern for family's needs, over emphasis on greedy gain, supporting dissension in the family, being overly critical of others in my child's hearing...