Proverbs 10:1

I’d like to try to stimulate some discussion on Proverbs. I will begin with chapter 10, verse 1 because in many ways this is the first proverb. The previous nine chapters are introductory.

A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother. (Proverbs 10:1)

What do our father and mother think of our choices and who we are in life? This is usually a good reflection of where we are at because they usually, simply want what they think is best for us. This is unlike the many other people who have self-interested opinions as to what we should or shouldn’t do.

Also, how do we feel about our own children? Our feelings towards our children are often accurate indicators of the degree of discipline or lack of discipline that we are putting into them. We need to take full responsibility for the way our children behave. We are not to be all defeated and say to ourselves that there is nothing we can do. We are to rise up and believe that it is simply a discipline problem that we can successfully, lovingly install into them. Why settle for grief, when we can have joy?