June 8

Proverbs 19-21
There is an old pop song with the lyrics: “Oh, but I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.”  Many of us can relate to those words.  When I was very young, it was difficult to teach me anything, because I already knew everything.  It was only with a little age and experience that I discovered how little I know.  Had I heeded the wise man’s words, life might have been a little easier.  “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.”  Proverbs 19:20  Fortunately, I was able to learn this valuable lesson in my twenties.  Some never learn it and go through life learning everything the hard way.  A wise man who was my boss stopped me one day when he was trying to discipline me.  He said, “Rod, if you would just quit making excuses, admit when you’re wrong, and get on with it, your life would be so much better.”  He was right.  When I quit making excuses and started accepting the advice of those who were older, wiser, and more experienced, life did get better.  I’m sixty-three, and I still find myself listening to the advice of others, and accepting discipline that sometimes accompanies the advice.  I don’t know if I can say that I am counted among the wise, but I feel pretty confident in saying that I’m not numbered with the foolish.