December 15th

Solomon’s Wisdom

          God gave Solomon very great wisdom, discernment, and breadth of understanding as vast as the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east, and all the wisdom of Egypt.  He was wiser than anyone else, wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, children of Mahol; his fame spread throughout all the surrounding nations.  He composed three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered a thousand and five.  He would speak of trees, from the cedar that is in the Lebanon to the hyssop that grows in the wall; he would speak of animals, and birds, and reptiles, and fish. People came from all the nations to hear the wisdom of Solomon; they came from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.

1 Kings 4:29-34

            Solomon asked God for wisdom.  God gave him that gift…and it was extraordinary.  This was not wisdom like Samson’s finely crafted riddles.  This was not wisdom like Joshua’s battle strategies.  This was not wisdom like David’s poetic psalms.  This was a wisdom that was world-renowned.  This was a wisdom that inspired rulers of other nations.  This was a wisdom that pulled back the curtains of heaven and revealed God’s perspective and justice and direction for His people.  This was a wisdom that changed history and became Solomon’s greatest legacy.

            That’s what happens when God gives a gift.  That is the magnitude of what He gives.  My gifts to my children tend to be limited.  I start thinking about gifts too late and I don’t have enough money and I usually end up going to the book store to find something for them that I think they will enjoy a few days before Christmas or their birthdays.  But God…God is not limited in His resources.  He is not limited in His imagination.  He is not limited in how well He knows us and how often He thinks about us.  When He gives us a gift, it is a masterpiece that will be for our benefit and for the benefit of the world around us, just like Solomon’s wisdom.

            Our children are a gift of God to us.  They are specially selected…hand-picked by God Himself because He knows that we have been specifically equipped to love them with everything that they need and He knows that they have been specifically equipped to love us and make us the very best version of ourselves that we can be.

            My son has inspired me to write.  He has inspired me to think more deeply about who I am and who God is and the implications that scripture has in my life.  My son has taught me to love on a level that I did not think was possible.  He has taught me to love through emotions and through actions and through the simple act of presence.  He has taught me what it means to love like God the Father.  Through my son I have learned to laugh and endure and cry and hope beyond hope.  I am becoming the very best version of myself that is filled with joy and purpose and speaks healing and hope to those that are struggling.  And I am doing all those things because of the gift that God gave to me 18 years ago.

            Yes, this gift came with dirty diapers and sleepless nights and sleepless days and panic attacks…but a gift is not good just because it is tidy.  It is good because of how it brings joy and transforms you and impacts the world around you.  With those three criteria, my son is an incredible gift and I am eternally grateful that God chose to send him to me.

            This is the season of giving, the season of gifts.  Remember as we drive people around and navigate crowds and feel overwhelmed…remember the gift that was given to you.  Your gift may lead you to international fame as it did for Solomon.  It probably will not, but it might.  Whether it does or does not, step fully into receiving what God gave to you…love your child with joy and hope and gratitude.

A moment to reflect:

Joy, Hope, Gratitude.  Which of those 3 are you lowest on at the moment?  Ask God to pour that into you during this Christmas season.