Every day, call-in shows, psychic hotlines, and internet chat rooms are flooded with people seeking answers to their most pressing pain or conflict. We run to friends or coworkers for quick-fix solutions; if their advice fails, we move to the next person. We call parents or mentors, hoping they will have the magic key to whatever ail us. It seems we’ll run almost anywhere, even to strangers, to get help before we do what should be the first thing to our list: Ask God.
God, who is all-knowing, all-loving, and all ears, has a clear view of our future and knows the best route to get there. God is wisdom, and yet so often we seem satisfied to make major decision without consulting him. What if we put a new twist on Matthew 6:33 and challenged one another to start a “Seek first the kingdom of God” campaign, agreeing to wait on giving our advice until the other has checked with the Lord? A pastor tried this once. When church members asked his counsel on any size issue, he started saying, “How should I know? Why don’t you pray and ask God for yourself? He’s the one who really knows the best!” At first people were stunned, and a few got angry that he wouldn’t give them an answer. But the longer he stood his ground, the more folks reported that his refusal to help them had deepened their dependence on God and given them better results.
What you say does make a difference, but God knows best.
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A mother’s words are very powerful. Our words instruct our children, telling them right from wrong. Our words communicate our deep love and caring. Our words correct our children when they’ve misbehaved. A mother’s words have a tremendous impact on the shape of our children’s lives and spirits.
