Simple Wisdom

Year 6 - Day 240: Today, I am grateful for simple wisdom. 

Growing up with quips and quotes was a part of my childhood. My roots are a mixture of immigrant Swedish farmers mixed in with some German determination and a sprinkle of this and that. 

With ethnicity, often comes a certain view of the world or way of bringing into focus to a particular situation. Accurate or inaccurate, it is what we believe. With maturity comes the ability to step back and adjust the view with less emotion and more information. Simple wisdoms become more clear.

These old sayings are rich in simple wisdom that helped us cope, persist, press on and grow. There was a saying, quip or quote for so many life situations. It was a precious part of my education that started before the more formal experience of school. 

"The early bird gets the worm." "Don't dish it out if you can't take it." 
"Cicadas are humming... 6 weeks to frost."
“When the dew is on the grass, Rain will never come to pass. When grass is dry at morning light, Look for rain before the night.” 
“Red sky in morning, sailors give warning. Red sky at night, sailors delight.” 

Many were weather related, because my people farmed and back then, we didn't have much for predicting the weather that was accurate, except watching nature's signals. Simple wisdom was in the wind. 

I love simple wisdoms applied to living with others. 

Here is a simple truth, perfectly spoken: "If your belief allows you to mistreat, you are guilty of misbelieving as well as misbehaving." - Andy Stanley 

Such a great quote. What we believe allows us to mistreat others.. we have missed the message of the gospel.  Love God the most and everybody else, always. That is the gospel. Jesus is our advocate, our redeemer and the Holy Spirit encourages and guides. 

"Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”Luke 10:26-28

Does what I believe allow me to mistreat? Do I put up walls of judgement and draw a circle that shuts out those sincerely seeking Christ. I hope not, but it happens. I love Andy Stanley's quote. It is a great measuring stick of our faith, love and grace. 

Today, I am grateful for simple wisdom.