Parental Guidance

    (Proverbs 1:8)  My son, hear the instruction of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother: (Proverbs 1:9)  For they shall be a chaplet of grace unto thy head, And chains about thy neck.
    I know that not everybody has had great parents to teach them right and wrong. However, we all have the Lord God Almighty and He wrote the bible. So, all these Proverbs are from Him to us as His parental guidance for us. As a father who loves His children, He gives us instruction on how to live. I love two words that He uses, "my son". Those two words always send me into the thought of His love. Even though I mess up, fail Him, and betray Him. He still loves me and wants me. there is nothing I can do to earn that kind of love.
    Now on to the text. The first verse is pretty easy to understand. Listen to your mother and father. Now like before, I said not everybody has great or christian parents but, we need to listen to them. So, long as they don't contradict what God would have you do. An example would be like if your unbelieving, or even your believing parents, told you to jump off a cliff or kill yourself! Obviously this is not of God's plan for you. However, if they tell you to look both ways before crossing the street, that is good guidance and God has just used them to teach you. I can't tell you everything that is from God, for I am not in your position and I'm still learning all that is from God. So, in order to know what is from God, we must all read the bible to learn. Because it is His instruction manuel on life and His parental guidance to us.
    Now the next verse tells us in a poetic way what happens when we listen to the wisdom of our parents (God is included in that of our parents). The verse is saying that by heeding the wise counsel and teachings of our parents (again, God is included in that of our parents). By being obedient, we bring honor and moral beauty to our lives and it shines to those around us. The chaplet on our head is like a crown and the chains about our neck is like a beautiful neckless. These things are flashy but, are not the kind that says "I'm so much better than you!" No, things are a good kind of flashy things that can ultimately point people to Jesus and lead them to His saving grace. So, by being wise and listening to our parents (you know who is included in that). We can be a better witness for God. People always know if a child acts bad that his parents aren't doing a good job. So, good behavior reflects "All" of our parents.
    I have great parents who love the Lord and have taught me the same. I praise God for them and my entire family, not just by blood but, through Jesus Christ as well. We all have the greatest Father in the universe who loves every single one of us! This is very encouraging to me and I hope it is to you too.
    Proverbs is, in my opinion, God's parental guidance to all of His children on the planet earth that He created! I will continue to read and learn from that of my Heavenly Father who loves all His children.
    Praise be to God for parents and the way He uses them for our benefit and theirs.