Proverbs 27:11

Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad,
    that I may answer him who reproaches me.

It is always a blessing to see my 27 year old son make right decisions. Only recently, he agreed to do some work for a friend. When he got into the job, he realized it was much more involved and would take more time and energy. To his credit, he did not change his hourly rate, but as a matter of “integrity” agreed to finish the job. This made my heart glad because I realized he had learned a very important life lesson somewhere in the past that helped him make this decision.

Proverbs 27:11 speaks of the wise child who makes a parent proud and happy. Children are told to seek to make their parents glad. Not all children do. We have seen this in Proverbs where the “wayward” and “rebellious” child is addressed and is a “grief” to the parent. Here, however, a wise child is commended. Those who are wise are a blessing and comfort to parents. Ultimately, as parents, we realize this is nothing less than our heavenly Father working in their lives to bring them to this point. We need to give special praise to God for his blessing in our children’s lives.

Likewise, when the child does right and good deeds, it is a credit to the parents for the work they have done in raising the child (verse 11b). Parents can use this as an encouragement for their effort and may also be used as an illustration to the one who has critized the parent for the way they raised the child. It is almost the “see, I told you so” attitude. Though we don’t say that, the life of the child is a full illustration of the upbringing of that child.

As you see examples of your child being wise today, do not hesistate to encourage them in those areas. But remember to thank God as well for these blessings he is giving you.