Day 168

Someone said Proverbs always come with some spanking. Yes, they do!

One of the key takeaways for me from this reading is those we surround ourselves with (25:5). I also thought about those who surrounded themselves with me. How do I help them? For example, apart from my company, I serve on other boards and coach people from time to time. I am also a daughter, wife, mother, sister, cousin, friend, etc. — different things to different people. What is my role? Am I helping people for the better?

Another part is self-control, particularly in parenting and with loved ones — flying tempers, saying hurtful things etc. I am sure people can relate to this in one form or the other. But 25:28 tells us, ‘Like a conquered city with no walls, so is a man who has no self-control. Hmmm. A good reminder that makes us aware of areas where we are not practising self-control and be mindful of how we can react to situations differently.

Today’s reading covers acts of kindness, laziness, self-respect, deceit and so on. Yes, lots of ouches.