Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is victory.—Proverbs 11:14 (NASB)

My fifteen-year-old daughter had finally earned a spot in our community’s summer musical. But after the first practice, she came home with a heavy heart. The play didn’t honor her faith or her convictions, and the other cast members were unknowingly mocking her beliefs. 

For two weeks, she battled whether she should continue with the show. She had been taught to honor her commitments and she understood the consequences of walking away, but each day she came home more upset. My husband and I spent hours discussing her options, but she still didn’t feel settled. One night, as she shared her heart, she asked, “Mom, do you mind if I ask Emily and Erin for advice?” 

Emily and Erin are two of my dear friends. Both are wise and godly women with teenagers of their own. When my daughter asked if she could seek their counsel, my internal response was why? Hadn’t I already given her all her options? What more could my friends add to the discussion? But then I realized that my daughter was exhibiting a maturity beyond her years and I needed to step out of her way. It took courage to ask for advice and wisdom to know where to look. As she ages and moves on with her life, I won’t always be there to guide her. It’s a relief to know that she recognizes the need for an abundance of godly counselors. 

After receiving the advice she needed, my daughter made the choice to bow out of the play gracefully. And in the process, she gained a wealth of wisdom from adults she trusted.