Proverbs 7:4, 5: Inner Circle

Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your nearest kin, That they may keep you from the immoral woman, from the seductress who flatters with her words. Proverbs 7: 4, 5

Wisdom: ethical and religious

Sister: figurative of intimate connection

Understanding: the object of knowledge

Nearest kin: intimate friend

Keep: preserve, protect

Immoral: A primitive root; to turn aside; hence to be a foreigner, stranger, profane

Seductress: something strange, i.e. unexpected calamity -- strange; harlot

Fatters: smooth talker

Words: speech

Who is in my inner circle? Who do I allow into my thoughts? Who do I spend time with getting to know? Whose company do I enjoy? Who do I allow to give me advice? 

In Proverbs 7:4, 5 there are two choices. Wisdom and the Flatterer. Wisdom gives sound honest advice. The Flatterer simply says what we want to hear, and offers wrong and misleading advice. 

Who is in my inner circle? Wisdom and understanding should be! However, since we all like to hear good things, the easy way out, and things that make us feel good—too often we exchange Wisdom for the Flatterer. 

Remember, Proverbs is all about the VERBS. If I want wisdom to remain in my inner circle, so that wisdom can help me make the right decisions in life, and bring the joys that God has planned—I must remember the VERBS. I must not only "say" but "DO". I can't just say, "Wisdom you are in my inner circle." And then ignore the advice, wise counsel and instruction wisdom gives me. 

Who is in my inner circle? Who am I listening to? Who is giving me advice? 

If my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God, then I will not only "say", but I will allow Wisdom to be in my inner circle. 

Who is in your inner circle? Who are you listening to? Who is giving you advice? 

Help of a stranger

Yesterday:
Wow! God sent some great blessings. 
I needed a BIG box for some pictures/frames. I received an email for 10% off my purchase at Home Depot. So I went over and found a box that would work. As I was waiting to check out, a gentleman came up behind me with his hands full. I offered to let him go ahead of me, since I had a cart. He said, "No, it's not heavy." Then we chatted. As I was checking out, he then offered to help me get the box in my car. So, not only did he help me get the box in the car... well part of it.... he drove the other part home for me! 
Thank you, Lee for all your help! And thank you God for sending Lee to help me out today.

Sunday: 
As I was thanking God for the help of the stranger He sent yesterday, I had to stop and think about something.... 

Packing and getting things ready to sell, has been extremely difficult on my back. The pain level remains high as does the headache. Yesterday, when I went to the store to buy the BIG box, I was not feeling the greatest. As I waited in the only checkout line open with a person (they had self checkouts, but I really needed help with the box), each person in front of me had a problem with their items. What was going to be quick trip, had grown to 30 plus minutes and counting. 

As I stood there, I knew that I could be frustrated at everything taking so long, or I could make a choice to find something positive. That's when the gentleman with his arms full walked up behind me. I really didn't want to make my wait any longer, but I had a cart, he stood there holding all this stuff. So, God nudged me... and I asked if he'd like to go ahead of me. 

That question, opened the door for conversation as we waited. As I was checking out, he asked how I had planned to get the box in my car, I said that I think it will fit in the back seat. He offered to help me. And he did! 

Looking back on yesterday..... what if I had "put me first". Ignored the fact that the man had his arms full. What I had complained about the long wait? What if...... 

I'm thankful that God nudged me and that He continues to remind me that it's NOT about ME. I was able to share that God sends blessings at just the time I need them. And yesterday, Lee, was the blessing God sent. 

Another great reminder that no matter how I feel, I have a choice to be positive.... and usually when I choose the positive, God sends those extra blessings along... because that's when I'm most ready to accept them. 

Thanking God for His special blessings! 

Do I act or react?

The other day I went to the bank. Several lanes were full, so there was a wait. The person in the car behind me was growing in patient. There was nothing I could do to hurry up the bank employees. As I was waiting for the tube to my arrive I was ready to REACT to the impatient person behind me. I was ready to grab the tube open it and throw the money on the seat and drive away. But something stopped me. I decided to ACT. Not REACT to total stranger. 

So, I slowly opened the tube and looked in.....There were only 2 items in the tube; there should have been 4! They had not given me all my money! I quickly pushed the call button and told them the mistake, and sent the tube back. That really got the person behind mad! He couldn't figure out why I was still waiting when the tube had already come! I smiled thinking, if I had simple REACTED to his honking, I would have been short changed—literally! It took a another 5 or 6 minutes for the bank to correct their mistake and give me the correct amount. As I drove off, I smiled. If I had REACTED to a total stranger it would have cost me $40. Yet, making the decision to ACT not REACT, proved to be well worth it.

This started me thinking. How many times do I REACT to a situation rather than ACT? I realize that not all actions/reactions cost me money; but there are other things which I can lose depending on what I do. I could lose sharing a smile. Or just enjoying a moment. There are many opportunities each day to either ACT or REACT.

For me, slowing down and thinking about what I do creates a much more positive day. The next time I am about to have a knee jerk reaction, I hope to remember the $40 and change my reaction to carefully thought out action. Positive actions are much more pleasant!