“For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6

Two elderly women were window-shopping and strolling downtown. A small commotion in front of the local soup kitchen caught their attention.

“What’s going on?” Asked Helen.

“Oh, that’s just street preacher Mike talking to the young people!” Replied Bertha, a stout, white-haired lady. She continued, “He’s been coming here for at least ten years, and everyone just seems to love him!”

Helen watched in amazement because she had never seen so many young people seem so interested to hear the word of God.

“Let’s go watch,” said Helen as she grabbed Bertha’s arm and urged her closer to the gathering.

Being a former school teacher, Helen was impressed at how wise beyond his years street preacher Mike was. The words he spoke touched the core of her heart, and she just knew this had to be a man who spent much of his life in college or seminary, gaining theology degrees, and the like.

When street preacher Mike finished, Helen quickly approached him. Grabbing his hand and cupping it with the other, she stated, “What a wonderful job you do here! What university did you attend? I bet your parents must be very proud of you!”

Street preacher Mike smiled gently, and replied, “Well, thank you ma’am, but I’ve never known my parents. The closest thing I had to parents was a nice teacher I used to have in elementary school who took a special interest in me. And, I regret to say that while I would have loved to attend college, I didn’t have the means to do so. “

Helen patted street preacher Mike’s hand, and said warmly, ” There is the knowledge one can obtain within the walls of a school, and then there is a type of wisdom that comes from one source alone; God. You may not have known your earthly father, but your heavenly Father certainly knows who you are!”

Street preacher Mike nodded, and before he could say another word, a young girl yelled out, “C’mon preacher Mike! We’re waiting for you!”

With that, the two new friends smiled and parted ways. However, as Helen and Bertha crossed the street, Helen suddenly remembered something the street preacher said, and immediately yelled out, “Pastor! What was the name of the elementary teacher you said was nice to you?”

Street preacher Mike waved and then shouted, “Helen! Her name was Helen!”

Real Life Application: How wonderful that God does not require us to first gain a degree before we can begin to reap the awesome benefits of His divine wisdom, and allow His truth, love and light to transform our lives!

“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2: 1-5

Melanie Schurr editor@melanieschurr.com (Copyright (c)2005 Melanie Schurr)