by Harvey Corwin, reprinted from We Are Family newsletter

Passing on the principles of life experience and wisdom to our children and grandchildren is one of the greatest privileges and responsibilities Our daughter and her husband just had our first grandchild one week ago. Now we understand the meaning of grandchild, because it is a GRAND experience. Madalena (Maddie) is her name. Her parents are planning a Welcoming Celebration event where different family members and friends, who will be role models and mentors, plan to share qualities that will be an inspiration for Maddie’s life development. My assignment is mentoring the quality of wisdom.

Before I worked for the church I worked in the business world. There are many business books that tell you how to be "street smart." That means how to deal with others in order to get ahead in life. Then you look at the Bible and self help books, and you learn how to be "pure of heart," which means humble, right motives, putting others first. Most of us want both. We want to survive yet come out on top, but want to do it ethically, both helping and respecting others in the process. I personally believe that knowledge comes from education and wisdom comes from God. So here are some principles of life to consider:

Dear Maddie,

Your Grandma and I were with you in your first hours in the adventure of life. We were moved to tears of celebration at this experience. Your dad and mom asked me to write down a few words concerning wisdom for you to consider later. Maddie, if you could ask for anything, what would it be? The wisest man who ever lived could have asked for wealth or a long healthy life but he asked for wisdom and it was granted him and much more.

(1 Kings 7-13 The Clear Word)

• Use wisdom as you set goals for your life. Don’t let chance govern your steps, but look ahead and have a sense of balance so that you can enjoy something special in each day of your journey.
• Communicate nothing but the truth, yet don’t divulge everything. It takes good character both to reveal as well as to conceal truth. One lie can ruin your entire reputation. Practice telling the truth, the relevant truth, and not one bit of truth that does unnecessary harm.
• The best gift you can give others, like your Grandpa, is not something you buy or something you make, but the gift of yourself. This means your presence, just spending time with the ones you love. This is the best gift of all that you can give another person.
• Don’t be involved in gossip. If you are taken for that sort of person, you might also be suspected of slandering others’ reputations. Avoid using your wit at the expense of your neighbors.
• Be careful with the information you receive. The truth rarely comes in pure form but is affected by the moods and purposes of the messenger. When "Chicken Little" got bonged on the head with an acorn, she immediately became intense in her mission to spread the news that, "The sky is falling." No one could question the hen’s intentions or intensity, but she simply didn’t have her facts straight. Don’t just use your ears when receiving information. Use your head as well. The sky may not be falling. It may simply be one more nut on the loose.
• Never let problems come to a boiling point. Your reputation will always suffer. Most problems you can do something about. If left unattended for long enough, they can reach a "boiling point." Harsh words can cause rebellion. Life throws us enough things we can’t control, so "street-smart" people will become proactive in the things they can. A phone call here, a note of apology there, and a few other minor actions can do much to smooth our potential rough spots in life. The alternative is risking personal reputation, relationships, good health, and peace of mind. The next time you’re feeling the heat, seek a "cooling point" rather than a boiling point. Like your Dad’s fresh baked cherry pie placed on the windowsill to cool, your relationships will be strongest if you don’t let them get too hot or too cold. It can be a challenge to keep them warm and friendly, but it’s worth the effort.
• A peaceful life leads to a long life. Peacemakers will not merely survive; they will be in control of their lives. A day without an argument brings peaceful sleep. It is a waste of energy to worry about what does not concern you or to take everything personally. Let your skin thicken a little. As you get better at this piece-by-piece approach to life, you’ll soon discover you’re coping with life better than ever expected. And when you go to bed at night: sweet dreams.
• Never exaggerate. Remember not to make good things seem better, or you will stretch the truth and cast doubt on your own judgment. A wise person prefers to underestimate the value of something. Extraordinary things are rare, so modify your evaluations and keep your reputation. Honorable people have only to make a statement and then stand by it.

  Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

• I find it interesting that we are to view life by the days, not the years. We are to live those days in such a way that when they draw to a close, we have gained "a heart of wisdom." With God occupying first place in our lives, we accept and live each day enthusiastically for Him.
• Life’s greatest fulfillment is not to be served - but to serve others.

And so Maddie, wisdom gives us balance, strength and insight. None of these are natural traits; but each is a by-product of wisdom. Since wisdom is God’s specialty, it’s imperative that we seek it prior to every major decision. Wisdom equips us to handle life as it really is.

I’ll love you forever,
Grandpa Corwin.

P.S. Yesterday is history….Tomorrow is a mystery….Today is the present….A gift….Enjoy it.

Make your ear attentive to wisdom; incline your heart to understanding. Proverbs 2:2