May 25 Another Review, for Memorial Day

A simple mind believes anything, but a prudent mind gives thoughts to steps. A wise mind fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hot headed and reckless. ~Proverbs 14:15-16

The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. ~Proverbs 14:18

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. ~James 1:22-25

First of all, thank you for your understanding in allowing us to take a week away from these daily writings. It was a blessing to have a break, and it is also a blessing to return to the work. Sometimes it can be a challenge to have new thoughts on the Proverbs. They can appear to be so repetitive at times, that it can be a challenge to have a new view. Yet, repetition is how we learn best. Think of memorizing times tables and addition and subtraction facts. Repetition helps the facts become automatic.

It’s the same with life. The more we repeat the wisdom given for the best way to live, the more quickly we will make the automatic wise choice when faced with any situation. So, today, we begin with another review. First, I know that today is Memorial Day. It is hard to find proverbs that actually fit that theme, but perhaps, we can use the history of this day to reflect on the proverbs above in a meaningful way.

The first Memorial Day was held three years after the Civil War, May 31, 1868, in upstate New York. It was the beginning of our country taking the time to say, “Thank you,” to so many who had sacrificed so much to try to hold our country together. The causes were just, but the price was high. Honor and thanks seems such a small tribute, but it is what we have to give.

So today, as a review, we have our sisters, Wisdom and Prudence to lend their guidance. Remember that Wisdom has the ideas, but Prudence provides the brakes to give us the time to think things through. The simple mind will believe anything and thus inherits folly, while the fool is hot tempered and acts recklessly. The simple fool has not patience to listen to Wisdom and Prudence. They want their way and they are not interested in being reasoned with.

On a small scale, in our own lives, we face the consequences often of not hearing Wisdom and Prudence out. On a large scale, these are the steps toward war. Consequences are huge when that happens, with many paying the price because powers would not see reason.

Our country again today seems sharply divided. Could there be war? Sometimes it seems like there are skirmishes already. We are finding it harder to talk to one another, reason with one another, hear another point of view. Wisdom and Prudence urge us to try. That is the peace of Christ that rules in our hearts. Let us be the oasis of peace in the craziness of fear and political deception. Let them see our love that is so different.

Finally, for those of you on this list who have served our country in the military, or lost a family member because of conflict, thank you for your sacrifice. I know that our original plan for today was to be at the grave of Kathy’s father who is a World War II veteran. We were sad to learn late last week that the ceremonies there had been cancelled, but we say thank you to those of you to whom we can.

Prayer: Lord God of Heaven, may our leaders heed the caution of Wisdom and Prudence and not rush into folly with its dire consequences. Wisdom will always prevail. May our leaders come to know her well.  

Song: The Battle Hymn of The Republic