Take the Long View

(Proverbs 23:15 KJV)  My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.

What do you wish for your children?  It is a question to be asked when they are young but the goal should never disappear from before your heart.  One of the struggles I have with parents, other teachers and school administrators is what we wish for the children we work with.  Most of what they want for them involves how the kid feels about themselves for the next twenty minutes.  It is all about feelings and self esteem.  I run into conflict because my focus is where they will be in twenty years.  It makes a difference in how you treat them and what you expect from them.

Here the goal is wisdom.  I can think of a passage that wishes many children.  Proverbs also seems to think a wife is good for a man.  Nothing comes to mind in regard to being rich or powerful. 

So?  Being poor and hungry is not a great place to be but lacking wisdom is a greater failure.  A neighbor can give you a loaf of bread.  No one can chose your priorities.