Corona Devo 1692

I can remember sleeping over my Gramma and Papa's house as a child, and when it was time for a shower, my Gramma would advise me to "Scrub behind your ears so potatoes don't grow".

That was timely advice for a kid, because the thought of potatoes growing behind my ears scared me enough that I scrubbed thoroughly back there, and not just when I was at Gramma's house.


~~~


And when my sister and I ran cross country in high school...there was no getting around the work of all those miles. But when we complained at home, I recall my mom telling us, "If it's not fun anymore then stop doing it."


Looking back, I admire her advice on both ends: We shouldn't do (recreational) things that we don't enjoy--life is too short for that, but on the flip side, I think our mom knew that by encouraging us not to do it, we just might strengthen our resolve to do it.


And we kept running. It was (and still is) timely advice.


~~~


My second grade teacher had us memorize a catchy little poem:

Good better best,

never let it rest.

Till your good is better,

and your better best.


Her rhyme has stuck with me this many years, and it was timely advice for a seven-year-old, perhaps even life-shaping.


It was good advice.


But we get bad advice from others as well, don't we? And I guess a big feather in our life-cap is learning to discern betwixt the two.


But if we can recognize and accept timely advice...it is lovely. Beautiful. Dignified and re-defining.


Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.  (12) To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.  (13) Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer.  They revive the spirit of their employer.  ~Proverbs 25:11-13  


The world, our culture, the "professionals", our friends, and our family will provide us with "advice" for how we should live our life.  


But the best advice comes from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  The Bible leaves no question of life unanswered, and God will direct our steps and shape our lives through the Bible, if we will let Him.


The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.  ~Psalm 119:130


We've all received advice our entire lives, and people are not finished telling us what they think we need to hear.  But the Bible is our preferred Source.  God's word never disappoints, and (even to the simple), He speaks simply and into our hearts.  


God gives the best advice, and it is always timely.  Thank you for Your Word today, Lord.


Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.  (12) To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.  (13) Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer.  They revive the spirit of their employer.  ~Proverbs 25:11-13  


Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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