Proverbs 4

"But the path of the righteous are like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day." (v.18)

I hope that the path I am treading on is like this light, a pat that grows brighter and brighter each moment. The light may not be very bright to begin with, but with each step, each new year, it illuminates brighter. I want to remain on this bright path, and not stumble onto the dark one. If I stay where there's light, I won't have to worry about stumbling in the darkness.

Recap: Stay on the path that's lit, the path of the righteous

Proverbs 3

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." (5-6)

Trust. Trusting God with all of my heart, with all of my being, with all that I am. Trusting God, even though it doesn't make sense to me. God has used this passage many times in my life to help me through many different situations. He has reminded me to trust Hm when my bank account read $0.00; through tears of heartache; lying prostrate on the floor, tears flowing down, when I thought we were going to lose my beloved grandmother; while quitting my career to follow my dreams; in coming home to no job, no career, and many bills; while rejoicing and returning back to teaching. Trust God.

I know that I can trust God because He is my Father and He wants what is best for me. He has what's best for me in mind. I need to remind myself this quite frequently because, honest to say, I didn't think I would be where I am today. If I could have mapped out my life when I was 20, things would be very different, but I praise God SO MUCH for not giving me the liberty or power to do this. Because ultimately His map is what's best for me. I have trusted God in my past, and I know that I can trust God with my future. =) Not only will I trust, but I wait in anticipation, like a little girl the night before Christmas, to see what amazing things the Lord has in store for me. I wait, and smile...

Proverbs 2

"For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity; guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of His saints." (6-8)

Walk in integrity. I talked about that in class today. One student said that his dad told him, "It's what you do when no one is looking that defines who you really are." I'm sure his dad read that or heard that from somewhere else, but my 5th grader quoted him. I had a good discussion with a my rambunctious 11 year olds about integrity. What would you do if no one is looking? Would you choose to do the right thing, or lean towards the wrong thing because you know you won't get caught?

In our weekly Chapel, the principal talked about God's omnipresence. God is everywhere at all times. Everywhere. At all times. I pray that I live with integrity: give back too much change from the grocery clerk, recycle the water bottle, pick up my trash that flew out of my hand, speak with honesty and truth, live with one face and not two. Knowledge. Wisdom. Integrity.

Recap: Live with integrity. God will be my shield of protection.

Proverbs 1

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." (1)

This is my desire - to gain knowledge. For living. For acting. For loving. So, if the beginning of knowledge is to fear the Lord, I need to ask myself: What does it mean to fear the Lord? I don't think this means to be scared of Him, but to be in awe of who He is. To sit back and smile at the awesome God. To take in a breath and be amazed by the Creator God. To sit and stand and kneel and rejoice and laugh and sing and be quite just thinking of God. It's been a while since I've done that. I remember being back in Kona, sitting by myself with the cool night air surrounding me, looking up at the stars and down at the crashing waves. I remember thinking: God is amazing. And just wanting to sit there and try to soak it all in. I miss those days.

"For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster." (12-13)

Complacency. This word has defined me lately, especially when it comes to where I am with my relationship with Jesus. I've been going through the motions and haven't really cared about it. Until now. I've been dissatisfied but didn't really care. Call me foolish. Thank God for His word revealing this to me, bringing it up to the surface and causing me to repent and turn from my foolish ways. I don't want to be simple. It's time to get rid of complacency. Now. Instead, I need to listen to God. Sit back and listen. Then the thoughts of insecurity and dread of disaster, which have plagued me the last few days, will cease. I can be at ease. Yes, that sounds good.

Recap: Be in awe of God. Listen to God.

I think I'm off to a great start!