Thursday 19th December

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

“And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.”
Luke 20v40 

That is perhaps what every parents wants for their children – for them to grow well and healthy.  And there are lots of other things we wish for – happiness, success, security ... the list could go on.  But what about wisdom?

A while back I saw an interview on TV with a father who had lost his wife to cancer 4 years previously.  He said, “I just wish she could see them now.  How mature that have become”.  Maturity of character is part of growing in wisdom.  It is the ability to live well, to make healthy decisions and build sound relationships.

Also interviewed on this morning was Simon Thomas, former Blue Peter presenter who also lost his wife to cancer, just month before Christmas 2017.  He spoke of the difficulty of facing the first anniversary of her death.  Their son came to him and said, “Dad, if any time over the weekend you feel sad, just come and find me and I will give you a hug”.  That too is wisdom and grace – the capacity in face of our own deep needs to look out for others.

Both these fathers would not have wanted their children to endure the loss of their mother, yet wisdom is found in the most unexpected places.  Neither is it something for children alone – we all need to seek to grow in wisdom as we grow through the years, facing the challenges of life that come along.  Perhaps happiness and security, while a blessing we hope for, are less important than the wisdom we have for facing the trials and struggles of life – our own and others.  And in these, Jesus, the child who grew well, continues to bring God’s wisdom as he shares our vulnerable lives;

“many look for wisdom, but we preach of Christ crucified ... the power of God and the wisdom of God ... wiser than human wisdom ... stronger than human strength”   (1 Cor 1v23-25)

Blessings

Dave