Teachable

Teachable

Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.

MY HUSBAND AND I had been parents for more than ten years and had taken countless hours of parenting courses. As foster parents, it’d been required of us, and even after we stopped foster care, we would often buy books and attend trainings. But as one of our children entered their junior year of high school, additional concerns began to arise, and we once again found ourselves at a place of not knowing what to do.

About that same time, an email came through offering a new parenting course in our area. It seemed like the perfect fit for the challenges we were facing, so immediately we signed up. The group met weekly for several weeks, and my husband and I both listened and learned a new approach to try with our child. Even though it was going to be challenging to implement something new, we left feeling hopeful that this would help us connect with our child.

There are lessons to be learned in any season of life if we’re willing to pay attention to what they might be. Even when we think we have a good understanding of something, there is always more to learn. And as much as I hate to admit it, I have often grown more and gained more wisdom during a challenging season than when everything is going along smoothly. This time was no exception.

Being teachable can be difficult at times. It is hard to remain in a space where we’re willing to learn something new, listen to different perspectives, and at times shift or adjust our thinking or actions accordingly. But if the wise are willing to listen to instruction, Scripture says they’ll become even wiser. I want to be someone who is wise. And if I’m going to be a person of wisdom, I have to always remain teachable. Wisdom and learning go hand in hand.

Lord, give us hearts and minds that are open and teachable. Thank you for the wisdom we can gain when we are willing to always be learners. Amen.

-Kendra

One Good Step: What is an area of life you need to gain more knowledge in? Today, take some time to learn or gain wisdom in an area you are lacking in.