This post was written about May 22, 2016
Today we celebrated Charlotte’s 3rd birthday with our family. We set up the night before and used the kids little multi-purpose stand as the children’s’ drink stand. Cameron decided he would man the station, and oh, how he took his position so seriously. He stayed there for a long time, occupying every bit of it—not giving an inch to his brother who thought maybe he should have a turn.
As I sat downstairs after putting the kids to bed later that evening, I heard a loud holler from upstairs. Going into check on him, he was so concerned. We had moved the little play farms upstairs because they had so many pieces and we didn’t want them to get lost with everyone at the house. They were still in the boys’ room for the night and Cameron had got to thinking about it: “Mom, since P-Man has two farms, can we just cut them in half? I really want one.”
“Cameron,” I reminded him, “you should be so happy your brother has two farms. And besides, he shares them with you! There are lots of other things you have that Peyton does not.”
I leaned in and gave him a big kiss, which seemed to suffice.
“Good night, boys,” I said as I closed the door.
I had been back on the couch for no more than a minute when I heard another loud holler: “Mooooom!”
I walked back in and this time he was so sincere: “Mom, did I do good at handing out the drinks?”
“Oh, Cammy,” I said emphatically, “you were fabulous!”
He giggled with delight, so proud of what he had done. And as I left the room for the third time that evening, I thought of our Sunday school class and our discussion on James. Wisdom. Such a big word—not literally--but in scope.
What is wisdom, really?
I think of knowledge that comes from experience. But the Bible says so much more. James says,
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
I had never thought of wisdom in such a way. I think of my little boy and am reminded that we are born sinners. He wants to cut his brother’s farm in half so he can have one too. He wanted to hand out drinks and let no one else have a turn. How often do I harbor bitter envy in my heart or am I motivated by selfish ambition? Far too often, if I’m honest. We can hide it so much better as adults, but the Lord knows our hearts.
The leader of our discussion described it as “doing the right thing with the right attitude”—doing it with a heart that is sincere. I am challenged tonight to pray for this wisdom—not just knowledge but “a wisdom that comes from heaven.” I pray also that I might teach my children by it—that I might teach them with a heart and mind full of mercy and good fruit—that it might be so sincere and that it might “reap a harvest of righteousness.”
Oh, how far I have to go! Join me in praying this Scripture every morning—praying for the wisdom that comes from heaven!