Good morning, and a most blessed Thursday to you!  In our time of devotion together today we are going to turn to God's Word and seek after his wisdom. 

As the older, adult generation we have been given the responsibility and the great privilege of training up our children in the Word of the Lord and in his ways.  Scripture tells us that when we train up a child in the way of the Lord, that he will not depart from those ways. As a parent, this week I am facing  the bittersweet time of sending a child off to live in another state, to grow and hopefully to flourish.  It's at a time like this that I stop and I think, “How did we train her up?  Did we train her up in the wisdom of the Lord?”

Let’s turn to Proverbs 3:1-8.

1

My child, do not forget my teaching,

    but let your heart keep my commandments,

2 

for length of days and years of life

    and abundant welfare they will give you.

3 

Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you;

    bind them around your neck;

    write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 

Then you will find favor and high regard

    in the sight of God and of people.

5 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

    and do not rely on your own insight.

6 

In all your ways acknowledge him,

    and he will make straight your paths.

7 

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

    fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

8 

It will be a healing for your flesh

    and a refreshment for your body.

As we turn our younger generations loose in this world, they can be tempted to be wise in their own eyes, to seek after their own wisdom, and their own autonomy.   The truth is that we are not our own.  We are first and foremost called to love the Lord God, and then to love our neighbors as ourself.   As that older generation, we share and we impart seeking after God's wisdom. Like the writer of this proverb, we know that to seek after the Lord's wisdom, to live under his guidance, and in his will, really gives a peace like no other.  I love how he uses that phrase, that “it will be refreshment to your bones”.  There is a sweetness like no other, when we seek after the Lord and live by his Spirit.

I know I’m not alone in sending my child off this fall. Many of you are in a transition time of sending kids off to college, or maybe sending your young child to kindergarten. Any transitional time of life, or seasonal change can be difficult.  But to know that the Lord always walks with us, and walks with our children is such great comfort.  There is such joy knowing that He is with them always.

Let us turn to the Lord in prayer.

We thank you so much for the amazing responsibility and privilege to train up the younger generations in your love, and in your Word.  Lord, we ask that you would give us extra grace to be patient with our children, to lead them in your ways, to teach them day and night of your love and your mercy.  We ask that you would guard all of our young people that are moving away from home, or finding new jobs, or going off to school this fall.  Lord, we ask that you would guard our children, this younger generation… keeping them steadfast in your Word, walking in your ways, and living in your love.  Keep them from the temptation to be wise unto themselves.  Keep them from the temptations to stray off of your path. Lord, we thank you for your grace and your mercy.  We thank you that we are promised forgiveness for those times when we lapse in judgment and do not seek your will.  We thank you so much for the steadfast love that endures forever, to sustain us on this journey.  We thank you and we praise you, lifting all of this to you in the glorious, loving name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.  

Have an incredible rest of your week, as you enjoy family… enjoying each moment, even in times of transition and seasons of change.  I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday!

God Bless!

Pastor Malinak