Get Smart

Get Smart

When kids are growing up, they have to learn things.  For example, we are not born knowing how to use scissors.  We are not born knowing how to ride a bike or roller skate.  We are not born knowing how to share or talk nicely to people.  Little people have to learn these things.

I can remember as a kid being reminded over and over to say please and thank you.  My mom used to call these words, "the magic words".   If I used "the magic words" I was more likely to get what I was asking for without a lot of discussion or fuss.   If I spoke nicely to my parents and my siblings life just seemed to be a lot more peaceful.

My husband and I watched a movie tonight called "August: Osage County".  The family members in this movie were horrible to each other.  Holy Cow!!  They were just plain mean!!  The oldest daughter learned this behavior from her mother, who had learned it from her mother.  It would be easy to assume that the females in this family had been behaving this way for generations.  (BTW - even though the acting in this movie was up for some awards, I wouldn't recommend it due to the language.  Another big - HOLY COW!!)  The point here being - the behavior was learned.

Skills/behaviors - whether practical or social - must be taught and learned in order to be put into practice successfully.  It's not a one time deal either.  It takes consistent reminding, consistent demanding that manners be used in all circumstances for it to finally stick. It takes consistency in talking about the right way to act for it to become second nature. 

There are lots of things children and some adults need to learn - like how to deal with anger, jealousy, friendship, gossip, money, criticism and so much more.  These are all important lessons people need to get smart about.  I call the book of Proverbs in the Bible, the Get Smart book.  In Proverbs you can find all the answers to how God wants us to deal with these everyday life issues.  You can find out how God wants us to be.

On speaking nicely to others: Proverbs 16:24 "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."

On anger: Proverbs 15:18 "A hot tempered man stirs up dissention, but a patient man calms a quarrel."

On lying: Proverbs 12:22 "The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in men who are truthful."

On criticism: Proverbs: 12:1 "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid."

The Book of Proverbs is chock full of verses that help us Get Smart.   As parents this would be a good place to look to find out what we should be teaching our children on how to behave.  As adults this is a good place to look to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.

Be honest.  Be generous. Be a wife of noble character.  Be humble.  Work hard.  Be wise.  Be truthful.  Speak gently.  Be patient.  Fear the Lord.  Be cheerful.  Be a loving friend.  Be slow to anger.  Listen to advise.  Accept instruction.  Be good.  Be kindhearted.  Be faithful.  Be loving.  Heed discipline.  Seek good.  And so on and so on.

God gave us this book - Proverbs - to find the answers on how to live life well.  Use the Get Smart book to Get Smart!! and...pass it on to your children who will pass it on to their children who will pass it on to their children....
This is very smart!!