"Raising a Wise Knight"
Little boys are born with an adventurous spirit! They are challenged by obstacles and are great problem solvers. This belief convinces them that they can find friendship with snakes, snails, frogs and caterpillars! Their favorite pets are ferrets, hawks, huge dogs, bearded dragons and, of course, tarantulas!
It is important to us that our little boys grow to be strong, bold and wise. As their personalities develop, our task takes on tremendous significance. We see the need for wisdom in our own lives and the need for teaching wisdom to these small ones following us, stepping into the footprint we leave behind! Our worst nightmare is that our child will be regarded as foolish and unteachable, persuaded by every wind and doctrine, unprepared for life.
Scripture says that “wisdom is better than gold, yea, than fine gold…” Pro. 8:19 God puts great value on our being wise. He says it is more precious than jewels (verse 11) and more valuable than riches (verse 18). “Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore get wisdom…” Pro. 4: 7
How important is wisdom to you?
Do you value wisdom as God does?
Are you a wise woman?
As our children grew we looked for the marks of a wise child:
• A wise child will love the one who rebukes him. (Pro. 9:8)
• A wise child loves the law of God. (Scripture) (Pro. 10:8)
• A wise son delights the heart of his father. (Pro. 10:1)
• A wise child listens to counsel and instruction. (Pro. 13:1)
• A wise son controls his tongue. (Pro. 11:30)
• A wise child seeks wise friends. (Pro. 13:20)
Can we raise a wise child in this generation?
How do we get this wisdom?
While living in Panama, our good friends, Johnnie and Ruth Jenkins, put the definition of wisdom to music:
“Wisdom is seeing life situations from God’s point of view
and acting in harmony with it.
So be wise my son, heed my instruction,
leave that road that leads to destruction.
Hallow my name, don’t walk in shame…
Wisdom is…”
As we raise our little knights to be wise, we teach them that the fruit of being wise is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” (Jas. 3:17). Is your home marked by this harmony? Is your little knight bringing you joy or are you ragged by the end of the day? In the first chapter of Daniel it is recorded that “God gave them (Hebrew boys) knowledge and skill in all matters of learning and wisdom…” (vs. 17-20). The King found the young boys ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers.
God gives wisdom to those who ask and all the keys to understanding wisdom are found in His living Word. (Jas. 1:5; Deut. 4:6; Pro. 9:10; Pro.1:1-3; Pro.13:20: Psa. 119:98; Psa. 19:7…) Just reading the Proverb of the day would begin to equip you with what you need to lead your fledgling young knight into wisdom!
Sir Jonathan illustrates the character quality of Wisdom. One night a fierce storm arrives with howling winds, bringing the surging sea into the village. The heaving waves sweep in and swallow everything in sight! Young Sir Jonathan awakens to a frenzied scene and a life-lesson that will eternally alter his life forever. A noble knight sees life from God’s point of view and eminently acts in harmony with it. This makes him a wise young man indeed.
We hope Sir Jonathan will encourage and inspire your little knight as you teach him to walk wisely.
~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America. Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California. My passion is discipling and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.
