Sunday, January 10, 2010

A Teachable Moment


One day this week during BTS we read Proverbs 7. This is what verse 11 says in several different translations.

She is loud and defiant, her feet never stay at home (NIV)

She is boisterous and rebellious, Her feet do not remain at home (NAS)


Brazen and brash she was, restless and roaming, never at home (Message)


She is turbulent and willful; her feet stay not in her house (Amplified)


She was the brash, rebellious type, never content to stay at home (New Living)


She was loud and rebellious, Her feet would not stay at home (NKJ)
Now I do realize that that in context, this is talking about an adulterous woman. But in light of teaching the girls what type of woman this really was, I attempted to explain and describe some of these attributes. What is brash, boisterous, and brazen? What does a rebellious woman look like? How does she act? This is what we DO NOT want to become!! We spent two days talking about this one scripture and what it meant.


Well, last night after church the girls really wanted to go out to dinner for something special. According to them it's been F~O~R~E~V~E~R since we ate out! lol So with some of their Christmas money each one helped pay for a dinner out at a restaurant of their own choosing. When we sat down at our table the first thing we noticed was that the 3 girls/older teens sitting near us were VERY loud. They DID NOT act like ladies at all. It was impossible NOT to listen to their conversation as I'm sure they were disturbing everyone around them. This verse popped immediately into my mind. It was the BEST teachable moment. I had a live model of exactly what we had talked about earlier! My girls were shocked at their conversation and behavior which was very loud, rebellious, restless, and definitely not content to stay at home! I could hardly believe what I was hearing. It was as if it was scripted just to give me a teachable moment! Yeah God.....THANKS!!!
They left shortly after we arrived so our evening wasn't ruined at all. But especially since the girls had spent their own money to have this "special" night out, their hearts were very receptive to the lessons learned here. Was their behavior loving or selfish? Why? Did it effect anyone else besides themselves? Did the way they spoke and acted bring glory to God? Why? Do you see what a gold mine of opportunity this was for me??? I was THRILLED!!!
Thank you Lord for helping me teach the girls how to become maidens of virtue, ladies that are pleasing to you! I so appreciate your help as their father!!
(I'm sorry about the formatting. I don't understand why it does that sometimes. I really didn't type it like that!!)

7 comments:

Tori said...

Yes, I agree that the girls were very loud and pushy. I NEVER want to act like them when I grow into a woman! That lesson at Old Country Buffet was a very good example of what I do not want to turn out to be.

Carissa Blanchard said...

Fantastic. I love it when God orchestrates moments like that!

:)De said...

People often say that parenting doesn't come with an instruction book, but you and I know that we have an awesome instruction Book by the Author of all things and we get the personal "tutoring" of the Holy Spirit too! BTW: I love that song, "The Gift" by David Nevue.

RCUBEs said...

Talking about everything happening in His perfect time!!! What better way to teach than to have it happening right there in front of their own eyes and hearing with their own ears. That must be powerful as I could sense the not so pleasant moment brought about by these loud girls! Great lesson sister and may God continue to bless you and your gals and give your kids discernment and protection. Blessings.

Just Be Real said...

Thank you for sharing your blog. Blessings.

Andrea said...

Laura,
Thanks for leaving a sweet comment on arise 2 write. Indeed, we are both blessed to share bloggy friends. I have joined to follow you and look forward to getting to know you.
Blessings,
andrea

Mrs. Olson said...

Great teachable moment! Yes, it wonderful when they come up in such a timely manner. Love ya!