The One Year Wisdom for Women Devotional: 365 Devotions through the Proverbs (15 page)

February 21

Integrity

     
The man [or woman] of integrity walks securely,

          
but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

When was the last time you heard a discussion about integrity? Here’s a good definition: integrity is doing the right thing even if nobody is watching.

W. Clement Stone said, “Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.” Well said, Clement.

Abraham Lincoln is well known for many things, but there is one word that is always linked to his name:
Honest
Abe. As a young man, he worked in a store and found he had overcharged someone a few cents, so he walked miles to return it. As a lawyer, he defended the weak against swindlers, taking little for fees. It’s no wonder that as he saw the wrongness of slavery, he paid a great price to make it right.

In Matthew 6 Jesus talked about integrity—not just before man, but before God. He said that when you do a good deed, you should do it before God alone. About prayer, don’t pray so that people will see you do it but pray to your Father who is in the secret place; then your Father will reward you openly.

Integrity. As I look at this amazing, almost extinct character trait, I know I fall short, but I also know I want it! Don’t you?

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Again, “[a woman] of integrity walks securely.” This means that if we purpose in our hearts to do the right thing, we will never have to cover our tracks. There will be moments when being a woman of integrity is tough. It is easier to tell a little lie or take a little shortcut—or so it seems. But when we are tempted, that is when we can shoot up a short arrow prayer: “Lord, give me grace to do right.” Maybe you have never thought of that. You have thought you could only pray in formal “prayer times.” Trust me, arrow prayers have been my saving grace many times. And if you get in the habit, they will be yours, too.

One Year Bible Reading

Leviticus 11:1–12:8; Mark 5:21-43; Psalm 38:1-22; Proverbs 10:8-9

February 22

Face-to-Face

     
The evasive eye is a sign of trouble ahead,

          
but an open, face-to-face meeting results in peace.

I’m a firm believer in eye-to-eye contact. Moms, this is an important part of your mothering. Give your children complete eye contact sometimes. Let them know you are connecting with them. But also require it from them. If they are lying or avoiding the truth, watch carefully; you can read it by the way they won’t look at you. Call them on it—lovingly, but call them on it. If you don’t hold them accountable, that’s not good. Help them know they have to be honest above almost all other things.

And in friendships, in any important relationship, it is so good to get together and talk about things face-to-face. Is there a friend you feel somehow is struggling? Don’t call another mutual friend and talk it out; we have to stop doing that. Call her yourself. Take her out for a latte in a cozy coffee shop. Take the time to let her know she is important. We are all neglecting our friendships way too much. If you sense something is troubling her, ask her if she will trust you enough to be honest. Make sure the goal on your side is to build bridges, and make sure your friend feels safe even if you hit some rough waters in the discussion. Right now, many people are going through tough times. We may lose houses and savings, but let’s make sure we work hard to save our friendships. Amen?

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Most of us are not very good at navigating conflict and disagreement. Sometimes we let small issues fester. Then we impute wrong motives and end up with a wall. If you are in a conflict situation with someone, here are some important principles to remember. Many disagreements come from misunderstanding. Will you ask the Lord to give you insight into the other’s feelings and perspective? Will you choose not to overthink it? And then will you choose, if possible, to overlook it? “If anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Colossian 3:13,
NKJV
).

One Year Bible Reading

Leviticus 13:1-59; Mark 6:1-29; Psalm 39:1-13; Proverbs 10:10

February 23

Love Covers

     
Hatred stirs up dissension,

          
but love covers over all wrongs.

Listen to the way
The Message
puts this verse: “Hatred starts fights, but love pulls a quilt over the bickering.” I really like that.

Les Miserables
, by Victor Hugo, is an amazing and beautiful story of the redemption of an ex-convict, Jean Valjean. When he was released on parole, he couldn’t find work. A priest found him, took him in, and gave him food and shelter. In the night, Valjean stole the priest’s silverware. He was caught by the police, but the priest saved him by claiming that the silver was a gift. Then the priest gave Valjean two silver candlesticks, the last of his valuable possessions. In this scene in the musical, the priest sings these amazing words—first to the officers and then to Valjean:

     
So Messieurs you may release him, for this man has spoken true.

     
I commend you for your duty; may God’s blessing go with you.

     
But remember this, my brother. See in this some higher plan.

     
You must use this precious silver to become an honest man.

     
By the witness of the martyrs, by the Passion and the Blood

     
God has raised you out of darkness. I have bought your soul for God!

And so the moral: nothing
but
love can cover a multitude of sins.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

“Love covers” has become one of my favorite phrases. As I say it, it becomes more than just a fact; it becomes a decision. When your friend is late even though you broke your neck to arrive on time, “love covers.” When your toddler spills the milk, the waitress forgets your order, your mother-in-law criticizes your housecleaning, will you make the decision to “let love cover”? It is a very good policy, because as Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7,
NKJV
).

One Year Bible Reading

Leviticus 14:1-57; Mark 6:30-56; Psalm 40:1-10; Proverbs 10:11-12

February 24

Wise or Foolish Words?

     
Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding,

          
but fools will be punished with a rod.

     
Wise people treasure knowledge,

          
but the babbling of a fool invites trouble.

Wise words or foolish babbling. It’s been said that even a fool can appear wise, until he opens his mouth.

So, ladies, let’s really think about it. What are you known for, by the people who are around you and those who know you best? When the heat gets turned up in any situation, are you likely to add fuel to the fire, or are you the voice of reason and peace, of kindness and grace?

When you’re criticized, do you use your words to cut back? If you have the perfect chance to pass along that ugly story about someone, do you? Truthfully, what are you known for?

James 3:9-10 has something to say about this: “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers [and sisters], this should not be” (
NIV
).

So—here’s a little poem by William Norris:

     
If your lips would keep from slips,

     
Five things observe with care:

     
To whom you speak; of whom you speak,

     
And how, and when, and where.

As my grandma Gladys used to say, “If you can’t say nothing nice—don’t say nothing at all.”

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

On the flip side of the coin, Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver” (
NKJV
). You can purpose in your heart to find one opportunity every day to use your words to encourage or inspire. When your husband comes home tonight, tell him one thing you appreciate about him. Catch your kids being good and praise them. Write a note to your pastor or Bible study leader to tell them how their teaching has blessed you. Tell the clerks at the bank you appreciate their help. Your words of kindness might be the only ones they will hear all day.

One Year Bible Reading

Leviticus 15:1–16:28; Mark 7:1-23; Psalm 40:11-17; Proverbs 10:13-14