“A wise son hears his father’s instruction: but a scorner hears not rebuke” (Proverbs 13:1).

Two young boys grew up together. Cody and Steve were best friends throughout their years in elementary school and even into the middle school years. Somewhere around the age of fourteen or fifteen something started to happen that set the two best friends on a different course for their lives. Cody listened to his parents, and although he didn’t always make the right choices, he was quick to want to learn from his parents and follow their instruction. Steve was just the opposite. No matter how much his parents tried to teach him, Steve would have none of it. He rebelled, turned his back, ridiculed his parents and their ways, and finally walked out of their lives. Twenty years later, police office Cody was dispatched to a noisy party. Knocking on the door, Cody identified himself as a police officer. The door opened to a drunken man who reeked of the results of sin. It was Steve. Tomorrow we will continue the story, but for today, think of this. If you are a parent, instruct your child wisely. If you are still under your parents’ roof, listen to their instruction carefully and do it! In fact, even if you are grown and gone from your parents’ home, while you are not commanded to obey them, it often is wise to listen to their counsel.

For today: Wise people don’t plug their ears when good instruction is being given.