Growing Sharper  –  Proverbs in Practice

My dear friend Ana, former procrastinators, illustrates both of today’s proverbs well.  When we were new moms, she’d ask people their counsel – about scripture, child training, meal planning.  She wasn’t insecure; she genuinely wanted to learn.  Forty years, six children and a boatload of grandchildren later, others have long been coming to her for counsel.  Yet she continues to ask questions and learn from others.  She is wise and righteous.  She continues to become more so.

“Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning.”  Proverbs 9:9

One thing Ana does is “listen all the way through.”  She doesn’t stop you and say, “I’ve got that.”  She pays attention to all you have to say.  “Listen all the way through” is good to teach our children.  We’re inclined to rush off and miss something critical to safety or helpful to a process.  And it’s courteous.

It’s a burden to think we must pretend to “have it all down” and don’t need others’ guidance.  What pleasures we can enjoy if we maintain a learner attitude throughout life.  Ask questions.  Be curious about how to do something better.  Then actually apply.  Application helps truth penetrate our thinking and our lives.  Lack of application demonstrates that truth we read or heard ran right off us like water on a duck’s back. No effect. No benefit.

“Iron sharpens iron and one man sharpens another.”  Proverbs 27:17

There’s a market where we take our knives for sharpening.  We leave them with the vendor and return to pick them up.  Just laying in his booth, the knives don’t get any sharper.  They have to undergo his treatment at the whetstone.  That application makes them sharper.

Ana and others sharpen me.  Sharpening can be correction, observation of example, conversation with questions, etc. followed by application. These are some things I’ve learned as I’ve been sharpened by certain wise friends:

. Prioritize daily scripture reading and prayer and regular scripture memory.

. Whether a child’s story or a news report, don’t jump to conclusions or form an opinion.  Wait.  Dig.  There’s usually more to know than is first told.

• Do what you can.  Share your heart and home with sincere interest in others; perfectionism is a hindrance.
• Graciously but firmly stand for scriptural truth.  It may cost you associations.
• See God’s hand in daily life and thank Him right away.
• Be prepared to deal with spiritual warfare seriously.
• Pray for her now when someone asks for prayer.
• Have both a Paul and a Timothy in your life.
• Laugh easily and be enthusiastic about life.
• Recognize that childlike faith runs deep.
• Desire God’s glory in and above all.
• Encourage in big ways and small.
• Trust God; wait for His timing.
• Done is better than perfect.
• Persevere – even quietly.
• Find the root issue.

What a rich blessing it’s been to ponder specific things I’ve learned from particular people.  Thank you, friends!  Thank you, Lord!

What have you learned from an iron-sharpening friend?  Who would you like to spend more time with for learning?  When will you ask?