The Fluidity of Wisdom

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They share the common armrest, leaning in close to exchange childlike whispers. Soon the adult daughter rises to check with the nurses. I catch the wristband-clad mother smile so wide she tears as she watches her child handle the hard with dignity. Wearing pride so radiant it nearly washes away the lines of worry.

Later I witness the same daughter leaving the doctor-assigned room with tears of knowledge. Dignity still in hand as she proclaims “At least we know. We’ll get through this.”

And I want to tell her mother: All she has poured into her daughter shows. She has every right to pool joy from her eyes while she watches the roles transform.

During my quiet time that night, I read this:

How wonderful to be wise, to analyze and interpret things.
Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness.
Ecclesiastes 8:1

It was the exclamation point I needed. All we pour or allow to be poured on us does show. Oh how I pray for wisdom. May we soak in the knowledge needed to do this journey well. So much so that it softens our edges and sets us aglow with the light of the One who made it all possible. For our children are smart. They’ll take notice.

My heart warms when I think of that mother-daughter duo. Probably because it makes me think of my own. Friends, I see droplets of my own mother shimmering through my everyday.

I’m certain my mother would tell you it was hard work. Even painful watching me grow into the woman I’ve become, constantly pouring while not being able to see the end result. It’s humbling to admit she might believe it was worth it now that we’ve metamorphosed into friends. Why, I even remind myself of this on my own hard days of parenting.

And to think, my Heavenly Father isn’t done with me. I’m still His child stretching, growing, soaking in His wisdom. Some days I wonder if He’s ready to give up. If I’ve possibly stretched the limits of His limitless grace. Some days I worry Jesus might regret all He went through just to save a wretch like me.

But then He gifts me with this:

I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are My friends, since I have told you everything the Father told Me. John 15:15

And I see the transformation happen as I soak in His words. Linger on His promises. Allow Him to pour new mercies upon me. I’m being transfigured into one He calls ‘friend’. Oh I pray it shows.

May I soak Him in so He pours out of me. Right on to the one clinging to my knee…

Father, what a gift it is to call You friend. Thank You for continuing Your work in me. Keep me pliable, Lord, so I soak You in and conform to Your plan designed specifically for me. I want to reflect You in all I do. Mold me into Your image. Pour Your love into me so it overflows onto those around me. For Your glory…

How about you? How has He transformed you lately? How do you soak Him in and pour Him back out? I’d love to hear.