I love talking with my grandchildren. Conversations are usually a hoot as they share the funny moments of their day or say those cute things only kids can say. But last night as I spoke with my six-year-old grandson, Jack, something he said really stuck out.
Jack loves learning, and I’m often amazed at the facts he tells me about animals or places—things I didn’t know at my advanced age. I once had a fascinating Facetime call with him where he shared his plan for traveling to Central America by kayak—complete with showing me a map and telling me about his supplies and the stops he’d make along the way. All of that at age six.
Last night on the phone, he shared some new facts. I said, “Jack, you’re so smart!”
He said, “I am, Grandmama. I’m really smart. I’m about the smartest boy in the world.” He paused for a moment and then he said, “But I’m not smarter than God.”
Oh, sweet buddy, that’s an amazing thing to know—because I often forget. God gives me directions in His Word or gently nudges my soul, but I ignore them and forge ahead with what I think is best. Then I end up in a difficult situation that I could have avoided if I’d just remembered that I’m not smarter than God.
So today, building on the wisdom of my golden-haired boy with the sunshine smile, I thought I’d share a few of the things God says about wisdom:
For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding… (Proverbs 2:6)
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, Who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. (James 3:17)
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good. (Proverbs 19:8)
So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)
Jack, thank you for the lesson today. I hope you’ll always remember that you aren’t smarter than God—and I hope I will as well.
