October 16, 2020

Do parents seem to grow wiser with age? In my teenage years, I’m pretty certain I told myself that I will be better than my parents, or that I want my kids to have something I didn’t. The older I’ve gotten, the more I appreciate my parents, their sacrifices, and realize I was greatly blessed and had more than enough. Do you seem to act more like your parents as you age? The other day I was walking through a store and I saw a plaid button down shirt with a pocket and I liked it. I texted a picture to my wife and said – I like this, even though it looks like something my Dad would wear. I then asked her if it is still in style and if I should get it. Needless to say, I didn’t walk out with the shirt. My Dad also had plenty of sayings we heard over and over. One saying was “it could always be worse.” I don’t remember a situation that didn’t hold true. When things seem to be going just our way or quite the opposite, we should remember what a wise man said;

Job 1:21b
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.

Job 2:10b
Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?

Job seemed wise when he spoke the words above, especially considering the sorrow and physical pain he felt following the loss of his wealth, his children, and covered in painful sores. However, in the end Job was reminded by God of how incredible our Lord is and that we cannot understand his ways.

Job 38:1-5
Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm. He said: “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?

The Lord continues to ask questions in Job 38 & 39 so as to remind us of how awesome is his power and how we cannot understand his ways. The Lord is wise beyond our understanding. Although we cannot understand his ways, we know how much he loves us and he has promised us a home in heaven provided by the work of Jesus Christ his son. Jesus said:

John 14:1-4
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Brian Pilon