I love American History! This love of American History came from the passion that my 7th grade American History teacher possessed and infused in my life at Greenacres Junior High School in Bossier City, LA. Mrs. Ray, had an unusual teaching style that ignited the passion of remembering otherwise tedious dates in history and actually making me want to know those dates and be able to put them on my tests correctly. The last thing I wanted to do was disappoint her by forgetting or not knowing. Mrs. Ray taught me ways to memorize all of our President’s in order by using the “Who Are Jolly Mighty Men…” memorization technique. The first letter in every word was the first letter of the President’s last name. Thank You…I did make a 100% on that test…thank you! She had a remarkable style of presentation of history. One time, she climbed her stool and with one foot atop her desk and the other on the stool, re-enacted George Washington crossing the Delaware River. I can remember thinking, “She is crazy…she is fun…I like history…this is cool!” She always had a smile that lit up the room! See for yourself…
I can remember that same passion when she covered the different wars, the different legislation, the things that make this country what it is today. She is one of my favorite teachers to this very day! Why? Because I find myself teaching my kids some of the same things she taught me. I can see her passion light up my kid’s eyes when I talk about the things she taught me. They don’t even know her! But they do know her passion for American History.
Like Mrs. Ray, Solomon was one of the wisest men in history and had a passion for passing down his wisdom to the next generation. In fact, he wrote the Proverbs for his son to pass down the wisdom God had given him. One of the Proverbs that he penned reminded me of Mrs. Ray’s history class. It is found in Proverbs 8:10-11 and it reads,
Choose my instruction rather than silver and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.
Instruction, knowledge and wisdom are directly compared as more valuable than what the free market deems as valuable. Silver, gold and rubies are monetarily valuable and typically signify great wealth. However, Solomon says that nothing compares to having attributes in one’s character that can be passed down from generation to generation versus something that is as fleeting as wealth.
In today’s society, people have bought into the false belief that their value is attached to their pay stub. God says that true value lies in one’s character and knowledge. Those building blocks are what produces the monetary value that will enable you to take care of your financial obligations. In today’s world, people want the easy way out and to only have the fruit minus the labor. All they want is the fruit…not the hassle. It seems as though people have forgotten to seek those things that will continue to produce fruit rather than the fruit itself. We need to seek the seeds that will produce for a lifetime. Seek the way to get fruit for a lifetime and even for your kid’s lifetime. Long term planning should be further out than your nose is long.
The old adage lies true today…
In what ways are you seeking knowledge, instruction and wisdom?
Do you have someone who has invested in you and planted seeds that are still producing today? If so, thank them. Write them a letter, give them a phone call, let them know of the deposit they have put into your life.
Challenge: Ask someone close to you to describe your character to you…evaluate their thoughts and make additions or subtractions.
oneguyseyes 