I read a story with my son today. It is one of my favorites from childhood. The illustrations are wonderfully drawn with vivid colors. As I read it, I heard the words for the first time. I remembered the tale well enough, but it took on the form of a parable for me…
Have you heard the story of Petunia before?
Petunia was a goose – a silly one, who found a book. She thought she knew what it was, so she toted it around for days because she had heard her farmer say that someone who treasures a book is wise. Everyone in the barnyard assumed that she was knowledgable because of that book. The animals asked her for all kinds of advice.
And she gave it to them. Faulty words based on an incorrect premise. She had not read the book or any book for that matter; Petunia could not read. Worse, she was not wise at all and did not know it. All the while she marched around the farm, with a proud strut, carrying the book.
At the end of the book, she realizes she is not smart. I read these words with my own mouth today, and they sounded so different to me than when I heard them as a child…
(from the story “Petunia” by Roger Duvoisin)
“Now I understand. It was not enough to carry wisdom under my wing. I must put it in my mind and in my heart… And to do that I must learn to read.”
The application to my heart and mind happened quickly. How often I think I’m wise, just because I’m around good people and do good things. I have an “olive tree” app on my iphone. There is Christian music on the CD player in my mini van. Oh yes, I’ve got all kinds of wise things that I’m carrying around under my wing. But, it’s not enough.
The path to true wisdom, all wisdom, is God’s word. He wants me to love it, know it, think on it, talk to Him and everyone else about it – in the morning when I first get up, during the day when I need to make decisions, in the afternoon when I have a bit of quiet time and in the evening hours before I go to bed. Yes, that is His desire for me, if I am to be wise.
Psalm 1 says this:
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
I’m not there yet. I think because I spend a few moments in the morning and the evening, I should walk around strutting my stuff. When really, I’ve barely begun the reading. Thankfully there are very specific words in Proverbs 3 just for people like me.
Proverbs 3:1-6 says:
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
These verses are promises for peace and prosperity, for favor with God and man. But do you know what else? He promises that while we are still trying to understand it all, He will make our crooked paths straight. HE will always help us figure things out. There is hope for me and all believers who are longing for His wisdom!
daily portion 