Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June/86

Contributor - Rita Pluim

Title - Pluim Time

Topic - Pluim Time

Noon hours were hectic times around our house in the days when our girls were much younger.

In addition to our own three, there were often additional little faces to feed. One day when our second oldest daughter came in with a tear-stained face, I was tempted to ignore it and to continue with my meal preparations. Something in her face, however, showed me that whatever was upsetting her was very important to her.

I decided to drop what I was doing and take her aside. Putting her on my lap I asked what was wrong. Between sobs she told me that some girls had made fun of her new haircut. It seemed so trivial and the easiest thing for me to do was to tell her that tomorrow those girls would have forgotten it or I could tell her that her hair would soon be long enough to change the style. Instead I prayed for wisdom.

Suddenly I remembered that On the previous day she had told me that her teacher had complimented her on her haircut. it became clear to me to use this opportunity to teach her how to deal with future hurts and rejections.

I reminded her of what the teacher had said to her and made her it is impossible to please everybody. 1 emphasized the importance of making decisions and sticking to them, in spite of what others may say. I urged her to make decisions always after thinking about them first and asking herself what God would like her to do, because we are responsible to Him.

I felt very strongly that this bit of wisdom was not my own. This incident happened quite a few years ago but I remember it so vividly it was first experience in claiming one of God's promises and being so aware of His guiding me. God has given us many promises but in raising a family I find this one indispensable.

I have talked to people who are hesitant to ask God for wisdom for fear that God will want them to preach all the time. I have discovered that our God is a very practical God and that we can depend on Him in ANY situations He is always faithful and keeps promises as long as we follow up on the conditions attached. In the case of wisdom, James 1 verses 5 and 6a says "if anyone lacks wisdom, I him ask God. . . and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting."

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