Today's reading: Proverbs 23-24
"My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways." Proverbs 23:26 KJV
"O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes delight in my ways of wisdom." Proverbs 23:26 NLT
Solomon is known to be the wisest man on earth. One whose leadership, kingship and knowledge were gifts to him from God. A king who was admired by his peers of the time and greatly quoted to this day.
I will admit up front, I am no Solomon. I do not understand great things. I am not sought after for my wise sayings or decision making abilities. While I believe I have common sense, I haven't the mental acuity gifted to this king.
That being said, I disagree with this verse. Not theologically. Not radically. Not with a desire to disclaim Solomon's wisdom or cast any doubt upon the words of Scripture.
It's from a mother's heart.
When I think about speaking to my child, my boy, I don't think I can say what Solomon said to his, or is saying to us...
'Give me your heart.'
As much as I desire my boy's love, affection, respect and loyalty--I want him to give his heart daily to the Lord, not to me.
I want God's words ringing in his ears, not my own.
I want him to follow God's leading, not my own.
I want him to fashion his life after Jesus', not after mine.
I want him to honor, serve and love the Lord with his whole heart, not even giving me a part.
I want God to be his hero, not dear old Mom.
And while I'm admitting things--I'll admit it isn't easy to say. And mean. And live out. And pray for. And accept. And watch. And direct him towards doing.
To see my boy willingly give his entire life, heart, soul, mind and strengths, all his plans, dreams and ambitions, to the Lord, would be my crowning glory.
