For the college-bound

Inspired by Proverbs 3:1-6

We’re in the season of making college visits with our oldest son, so when I came to Proverbs 3 in my devotions, all I could think about was when his actual send-off comes next year. I’ll need as much help as I can get on that day, and these six verses prompted me to parallel each one with what I’d say if I wasn’t sobbing my eyes out…so maybe a letter, tucked between layers of clothes in his suitcase, would be better. I’d write it like this:

My son,

Keep this instruction in your heart: 

Those phrases I repeated every time you walked out the door 

and those things I’ve said about the kind of lifestyle that’s best - remember it all! 

You’ll experience a better life and a more peaceful one if you do. 

I’ve tried to follow my own advice, and now it’s your turn. (v.1,2)

Carve these initials on your heart:

L+F. They’re together forever. 

Love + Faithfulness go hand in hand like an aged couple 

with decades of character between them. 

These qualities, straight out of God’s heart, 

form the foundation of all lasting relationships, between God and you 

and between you and others. (v. 3,4)

Trust the Lord with your heart:

You might feel grown up and like you understand everything (at least, I did at your age)

but don’t just live by your instincts or your best guess.

Instead, with every decision ahead of you, talk to God. Ask Him.

You’ll be surprised at how He makes the unclear, clear 

and the crooked, straightened out. (v.5,6)

Of course, there’s more I could say, but if you’re intentional about what you do in, on, and with your heart, you’ll be off to a good start.

With love, 

Mom