“I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress. Don’t be like a senseless horse or mule that has to have a bit in its mouth to keep it in line!” (Psalm 32:8-9 The Living Bible)
What would you tell people who ask you what criteria to use when it comes to finding the best childcare? I overheard a conversation in the vegetable department of a local store between two women who were discussing that very subject. Apparently one of the women, with two toddlers in her cart, had asked the question. The other woman provided some advice and the criteria she used included: cleanliness, staffing, references of other parents who had children enrolled in the childcare facilities she was considering, observed interaction between the children and the staff, locations, costs, safety record, years in business, and the list went on. I had actually got the veggies that I was looking for, so if you accuse me of meddling, I stand accused. What I heard made me think about what I would say if asked for a list of criteria. Now I have seven children, so I know about childcare options outside the home, and I learned a thing or two that I could pass on. But if I had been put on the spot in the vegetable section, and asked for advice, I would have been way off as I offered my list propelled by my first instinct. For you see, I would have automatically based my recommendations on childcare that starts in the home. But listen, even though I might have not provided the answer that the woman was looking for, I would have given her some helpful information from the scriptures. Afterall, all scripture is profitable, and depending on the word of God I would be kept from offering opinion, leaning on my own understanding.
Yes, I would have rattled off advice that would have ensured a bundle of information about childcare such as, teaching the children to love God with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their might; training children up in the way he/she should go, so that even when he/she is old, he/she will not depart from it; advising them to bring the children to church for they will not only be welcomed just like Jesus welcomed the children, “Let the children come,” but they would also become increasingly aware that the word of God will be a lamp to their feet, and a light to their path. From my Mother’s Day sermon, I would have given another list of traits, too many to mention right now, of a good mother. It’s a possibility that after I got through giving my advice, the woman would have headed quickly to another department in the store and, she would have looked to see if I was shopping on any aisle she was contemplating going down before turning her cart to proceed. Oh it is a possibility however that she would have listened and asked for more advice about home childcare. And yes, I would have some advice to give her from the scriptures that would help her evaluate the childcare criteria offered by the first woman.
Many of you don’t have to worry about caring for little children on a daily basis. Most of you are reaping the rewards from following wisdom from the word of God as you raised your children. So, here is the general point that relates to you. In search of advice on any subject, ranging from A to X, Y, and Z, see what God’s word has to say about it. For example, if you want to know about Associating with people, Xenophobia (the fear of strangers), Yielding to temptation, or Zeal, see what God’s word has to say about it. If you need advice of Burden-Bearing, Resilience, or Recovery, see what God’s word has to say about it. If you need advice on Dating, Decisions on marrying, or Discernment, see what God’s word has to say about it. Don’t be lackadaisical, but rather leap into the scriptures with great expectation and anticipation that good advice will be found! Now, something is going to come up today where you need advice. When it does, test my general advice and see if I am correct, okay? Have a good Wednesday! Be blessed!
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” (2 Timothy 3:16 NLT)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King