“Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7 (NKJV)
Julie Redwing wants to attend the party after her school’s North City High Eagles team finally prevailed over their principal rival, East
County Pythons. “I must say no, Julie,” says Rita, her mother, as she places their dinner plates on the table. “You know how those parties turn out—drinking, drugs, and all kinds of other things.”
“Please, Mama. I’ll be the only one in our senior class stuck at home! Just because you’re a grownup doesn’t mean you know everything!”
“My answer is no,” Rita replies firmly. “Those so-called dances don’t end till sometimes one or two o’clock in the morning. Too many
things are happening to kids these days. I’m your elder. Listen to my wisdom and gain understanding.”
“Here we go again,” Julie murmurs. She pushes away from the table, retreats to her room and slams the door. Rita sighs as she clears the table, does the dishes, and sinks wearily onto the sofa, aims the remote and turns on the news station. Sometime later, she dozes off.
Distant sirens wake her. She glances at the wall clock. Two a.m.? The TV news reporter stands amid flashing police car lights and totally
demolished vehicles. One of the wrecks belongs to Julie’s best friend! “The more seriously injured were taken by ambulance to North City Hospital,” says the reporter. “Drag racing and consumption of alcohol is suspected as a probable cause in this ongoing investigation.”
Rita rushes into her daughter’s room. No Julie there! She grabs her car keys. Once at the hospital, she is relieved to find that Julie’s only
injury is a fractured wrist. Her friend has a concussion. On their way home, Julie, eyes lowered, says, “I’m sorry, Mom. I should have listened to your . . . wisdom. Forgive me?” Rita glances at her daughter, smiles, and says, “Understanding the ‘why’ must come along with wisdom.”
– Kiki BelMonte-Schaller
Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.
Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org