(by: Geoff Brown)

Teacher did her best but little Max just wasn’t having it. She had met her match in this four-year-old. The time-honored wisdom of emptying playground sand from your shoes after recess was not compelling enough for Max to untie his shoes, shake them out, put them back on, and retie them. In the mind of a busy four-year-old, the benefits of sand-free shoes did not outweigh the time required to follow the teacher’s directions. So, Max drew a line in the sand and, grabbing a piece of sidewalk chalk, he emblazoned his simple and final answer on the concrete for all to see: an emphatic “NO”. Max folded his arms, sat resolutely on the ground, and prepared for his own private Armageddon. This would be his hill.

This is a true story described to me by a teacher with tears of laughter in her eyes. But, before you judge Max and declare “If that was my kid!”, please recognize that Max may be one of the sweetest, smartest kids on the campus. Also consider how often we similarly fail to connect the dots between our daily decisions and Godly wisdom. We simply, and foolishly, stick to our guns, persisting with habits, addictions, and choices that are empty of wisdom.

What the teacher knew, and Max failed to understand, was that the sand rubs against our toes causing painful abrasions, holes in our socks, and–the ultimate unforgivable sin–it gets all over the floorboards of Mom’s car. It can be hard to grasp at times, but Wisdom has its reasons.

However, I’m pleased to report that there’s good news at the end of Max’s story. Later than sooner (he is a stubborn little dude!), Max eventually began to understand that the teacher’s rules about sand and shoes were ultimately crafted with his good in mind. Wisdom is meant to help, not hurt. Eventually, after the teacher left him for a bit to “think about his decisions”, teacher returned to the scene of the sandy crime and saw that Max had used his sock to erase his chalked “NO”, replace it with an “OK Fine”, and empty his shoes.

Years ago, a pastor challenged me to develop a daily discipline that would enable me to grow in wisdom.  He pointed out that there are thirty-one chapters in the book of Proverbs.  And, there are thirty-one days in many months.  Proverbs being the Bible’s book of Godly wisdom as presented by King Solomon, a man that God’s word describes as the wisest man ever, the pastor suggest that each month, I read through the book of Proverbs.  May I suggest the same for you?  For your family?

Like little Max, you may soon discover that time spent in pursuit of Godly wisdom is time well spent.

Geoff Brown is the Superintendent of Northwest Christian School located in Phoenix, AZ. Northwest Christian School is one of the largest private Christian schools in the state of Arizona and the only ACSI Exemplary Accredited school in the state.

This post is sponsored by NCS Online. NCS Online is a fully online K-11th grade Christian school providing an online education that is rigorous, affordable, and rooted in Biblical worldview. To learn more about NCS Online, visit NCSonline.org.