He’s so much like his __________ (parent) that you can hear their words and see their actions in them.
I’ve called this Generational Wisdom. Some have examples of it, but way too many do not.
I was reading “City” by Clifford Simak, and a section of the book described the plight of ants. They do not build big kingdoms or have generational knowledge because they live only for the current season, and then by winter, all are gone. The next generation will have to learn everything again.
While writing for another blog post, I happened upon a familiar Bible chapter for a different purpose. This thought entered my spirit as I read to contextualize the chapter. Solomon writes to his son but references the lessons learned from David, his father. They had Generational Wisdom. I wonder how well it worked.
Hear, my children, the instruction of a father,
And give attention to know understanding;
For I give you good doctrine:
Do not forsake my law.
When I was my father’s son,
Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,
He also taught me, and said to me:
“Let your heart retain my words;
Keep my commands, and live.
Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.
Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”
Hear, my son, and receive my sayings,
And the years of your life will be many. I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on. For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.
My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;
For they are life to those who find them,
And health to all their flesh.
Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
Put away from you a deceitful mouth,
And put perverse lips far from you.
Let your eyes look straight ahead,
And your eyelids look right before you.
Ponder the path of your feet,
And let all your ways be established.
Do not turn to the right or the left;
Remove your foot from evil.
(Proverbs 4:1-27 NKJV)
IF David could have seen the ending of Solomon,
What would he have thought?
I failed….??? Or, I did my best.
Because it’s up to each succession of generations
To take the lessons of the previous generation
And accept and grow, or reject and make new choices.
And we know that not everything new is better.
I love Solomon’s thought: “Ponder the path of your feet…” Ponder. Consider (something) carefully, especially before deciding or reaching a conclusion. A conclusion reached often forces the direction taken. Ponder. Deep thought. Like a Chess Master, consider what this step will mean many moves ahead. Strategize. What were the results? Tweak the plans. Consider the ending of your path.
Now, with all this knowledge in mind, what you are creating may be some good Generational Wisdom…or it may not. Sometimes? Only time will tell.
Thank you for reading.
Please share with others.
It helps me get my book written!
(Below, you may find other topics similar to this one. Please read on!)