“Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭19:25‬ ‭

We are born square. Life takes a hammer to our corners and edges. Every strike of the hammer causes pain but with the pain comes a CRASH of knowledge, a SMASH of understanding, a CRUNCH of wisdom.

We don’t know that the goal of the hammer is to knock some sense into us. We just know it hurts. Funny thing though, as the corners become rounded and the edges begin to push into and blend together with the sides, a new shape is forming.

We fight against this shape, “I was such a cute square when I was young.” Our youth battles with the hammer. Youth tries to take the hammer away. It tries to sidestep every coming strike. But there is no shield, no dupe, no softening of the blow. Just the next pummel, the next bash, the next titanic surgical strike to each intended area of reform.

“Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.” Proverbs‬ ‭1:23

Our focus as toddlers was not on shape. But when the hammer was introduced, we began to see things we could never imagine. Our teen eyes just saw the jagged ugliness that the hammer had created. In our early-twenties we just new there was a better way, a way without the hammer. But the further we ran, no matter how fast, in whatever direction, there would be the hammer, striking us before we knew it was there.

I’ve gotten use to the hammer. The blows aren’t aren’t as blunt. The pain is different too. I watched my children. And now my grandchildren. The pain now is for them. The hammer has something for them to learn that I could never teach. But I CAN love them through it.

“Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.”‭‭ Proverbs‬ ‭4:13

My shape is more versatile now. My shape maneuvers rather than crashes in. I no longer live to fight another day but to be thankful for that day. I’m much rounder now and so is my insight. My tears are no longer for me but for them. I get a taste of the hammer now. A reminder. A calibration. A tap of refinement. A love tap. A tap that may be my last.

When we are young, even when we’re old, we learn something new and something different everyday–that’s if we’re doing it right.

“Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days.” Proverbs‬ ‭19:20‬

Until next time, peace & joy,
Steve