wise words on wisdom

I just finished reading George MacDonald's short story "The Wise Woman" where there are indeed some beautifully wise thoughts and perspectives.  And what a strangely enjoyable read!  Who would have thought that a story about reforming two mean girls' characters would be so brilliant a fantasy to unfold?  What imagination, insight into people, and sparkling story-telling power that MacDonald had!  


MacDonald wrote well about the ways that parents can feed their kids conceit.  Here are a few of his words about how any of us might stoke our own conceited natures:  

"However strange it may well seem, to do one's duty will make any one conceited who only does it sometimes.  Those who do it always would as soon think of being conceited of eating their dinner as of doing their duty.  What honest boy would pride himself on not picking pockets?  A thief who was trying to reform would.  To be conceited of doing one's duty is then a sign of how little ones does it, and how little one sees what a contemptible thing it is not to do it.  Could any but a low creature be conceited of not being contemptible?  Until our duty becomes to us common as breathing, we are poor creatures."  (p 53).


Another book that has been a gem for our whole family lately is Sally Michael's God's Names. A precious friend- who we've never met!- mailed this book to us as a surprise. A gift for no reason!?  That alone makes it a special book, but what's inside makes it even better.  We've been reading through these names of God together in evening devotions with the kids and it's been such a great blessing to have this help.  We were really struggling to hold the kids attention with stories straight from the ESV.  Our younger ones were not tracking at all... but we're all learning these names together now.  Joy for all.   (I will say, there are some spots I wish were edited for the narratives to flow nicer but when a book is this good, no commenter really needs to bother with the minor room for improvement!)  Thank you, Dawn!


And best of all:  James, still piercing my heart.


James 3:13-18 



Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. ¹⁵ This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.


That list in verse 17?  ... Ahh...  If only I could soak myself in it and be stained to the core with that beauty.  Transform me with true wisdom from above, oh God!  More of Christ, the wisdom of God!  May your Word so saturate my heart that it would color all that I am with your wisdom!   And may I sow in peace and reap a harvest of righteousness, lasting fruit, bright to your glory, oh God!


Amen.