Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family.
Proverbs 7:4
Ready the guest bed and stock the fridge, because you’re about to welcome two new family members into your home. They may ask a lot of you, perhaps rattle your comfort zone, but they’re worthwhile company to keep once you let them in. If you’re the fancy, formal type, their dinner place cards should read: Wisdom and Insight. They love attention but never demand it, nor will they ever overstay their welcome. In fact, you’ll most likely plead with them to stay as long as possible.
Proverbs 4:7 says, “Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family.” As a mom raising three daughters, I see the sisters’ bond they share and get the author’s language of loving the knowledge and experience wisdom brings into a home. As parents we need wisdom’s sound judgment to navigate the ever-changing waters of raising kids. My 4- and 6-year-old daughters run into the kitchen for the 86th time whining and yelling about each other’s wrongdoings. Wisdom tells me to listen with my heart, not my ears. Homework is left on the kitchen table. Wisdom tells me natural consequences are often the best teacher. Take a leap, invite Wisdom in and ask her to stay a while. Treat her like family. Love her like a sister, and you’ll have a friend for life.
Insight takes a little while to warm up, but once he gets comfortable, look out! Remember, he enjoys the company of Wisdom but still likes his own space. Insight takes a good quality like patience and turns it into a great one like understanding. Insight sees the forest when all we see are the seeds. He shows us potential where we see problems. Friends call to say they’re in town hoping to stop by for dinner. Insight reminds us true hospitality is a position of the heart not the perfection of a place. Crocodile tears are rolling off her baby blue eyes because her sister ate the string cheese…without sharing…on purpose. Insight says empathize because cheeseless snacks are a bummer and a handwritten note about buying more is a great idea. Give Insight space to grow in your home, and he’ll start changing hearts one perspective at a time.
Are you still unsure of where these two will fit in your family? Open the door to your hearts and minds and ask God to let them in. Don’t be surprised when you stop considering them guests and start calling them family.
Faith & Family columnist Jena Meyerpeter lives in and writes from Lenexa.