Tiny Devotional for Monday, 07-10-2023

 A great good morning to all my friends and neighbors in Internet Land! And to family members who have dropped by, the clock is running.

The wise of heart will receive commands,
But a babbling fool will be ruined.
Proverbs 10:8, NASB

If you are one of the tiny few who read the tiny devotionals, you may say to yourself:

“He’s giving the same message over and over! It’s the same as it ever was!”

I promise: there IS no hidden agenda. 

Whatever the day of the month is determines the Proverb, and I write about the verse that follows the last verse I wrote about on that day of the month. Any variance from that pattern is because I wasn’t doing that until January 2021.

Question: why do I seem to be writing about the same thing?
Answer: because that’s what the proverbs are about.
They follow the rule of good speeches: 

• tell ‘em what you are going to tell 'em; 
• tell 'em; 
• tell 'em what you told 'em. 

With repetition, the message comes across. 
Hopefully. 

This particular verse also carries a subtle message to the teacher: 

Don’t waste your time with those who don’t want to learn.

Don't use this approach if you are a parent or a classroom teacher! A HUGE part of your job is infecting your charges with a desire to learn.  EXPECT resistance, and seek to overcome.

Otherwise, stop wasting your time on someone who just wants to run their mouth, or, ‘talking to hear themselves talk’ as my mama use to say. 
They MUST hit their bottom before they can learn. Interfering with that process is cruel, extending and intensifying their misery.  
Some change because they see the light; this type has to feel the heat.

Peace be on your household.