Friday!

Proverbs!

Let another person praise you, and not your own mouth; 

a stranger, and not your own lips.

Proverbs 27:2 CEB

Do you ever read part of the Bible and go "hold up, not sure I agree with that!"

Today's proverb is one of those. 

We don't know what the situation is that the writer is thinking of, and what the community was like that he lived in. Perhaps in his community there's someone who keeps talking up all that they're doing and never stop to listen, are never interested in others.

In an ideal world our good work is seen and acknowledged. 

In an ideal world we don't need any validation of others. 

But in this messy world there are pockets of people, children, young people, adults, who's good work has not been seen, they've not been validated and encouraged, and verses like this are just used as weapons to push them down or around. 

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that we've done a good job. 

Be proud of our achievements. 

Paul tells us to build one another up, to encourage one another, so while this Proverb is here for a reason, its not to beat ourselves or others down with. Perhaps it's written to me to be the "stranger" who sees others strengths and builds them up, who sees others achievements and validates them, encourages. 

#proverbs

#wisdom

#somethingtochewon