"Bewilderment"

There’s a strange bewilderment,

Across the land it’s spread,

Remembering how Grandpa lived,

And things he often said.

He’d say there’s some you cannot help,

Which sounded pretty cruel,

But it was just an observation,

And not some sort of rule.

What he meant is there are those,

Who will not turn their hand,

To work for all the things they need,

Nor will they take a stand.

And so if you help them,

It really does no good,

‘Cause you can’t just support ‘em,

When they’re the ones who should.

Grandpa tried to tell us,

There’s some you steer clear of,

‘Cause they’re nothing but trouble,

And when push comes to shove,

Don’t think twice about it,

Get gone and get gone now,

‘Cause if you even hesitate,

They’ll injure you somehow.

They are not your friends at all,

Though they pretend to be,

And if you put your trust in them,

You will clearly see,

Their loyalty’s not loyal,

No matter what they say,

They’re sure to disappoint you,

You’ll find out the hard way.

 But take care of your family,

The ones who are blood-kin,

They’re the ones who know you,

And everywhere you’ve been.

And though they know your history,

Their loyalty is sure,

Don’t allow those bonds to break,

They always should endure.

Bewildered, without compass,

That’s how so many feel,

Helps to think of Grandpa,

‘Cause he was the real deal.

He didn’t think the government,

Should tell us what to do,

Or provide for everyone,

‘Cause that was wrong he knew.

He only knew two genders,

He knew the right from wrong,

He knew where he was headed,

And the Good Lord made him strong.

Grandpa has been gone awhile,

But what he said lives on,

The wisdom of someone who knew,

When it’s all said and done,

Wisdom and some common sense,

Would do us lots of good,

He’d be the first to say it,

Let’s listen like we should.

“Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it. Get wisdom, discipline and understanding.” (Proverbs 23:22-23, NIV)

Listening to the wisdom of those who are father along in the journey than us makes a lot of sense. We can learn from their stories, their experiences, and yes, even their failures. Not too long ago there was something in our nation called “public morality.” There was a general cultural consensus about what was right and wrong, and these values reflected what was taught by the churches. But this consensus has been lost. The culture is increasingly secularized, the influence of the churches minimized, and the result is erratic, irrational, and extremely destructive behavior. Let us conscientiously return to the counsel of scripture and the wisdom and common sense of those who have not lost their way.

Lord, give us Your wisdom, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Alfredo Rodriguez, used by permission. Thanks Alfredo, and God bless you.