The Greatest Gift of All — Wisdom

Dads’ Survival Guide: Parenting

Gift-giving is not one of my gifts.

In fact, I’m pathetic. That bad Dad. Picking the ugly slippers. Collecting dust in the back of the closet. With the tags still on. Or the 2500-piece puzzle. Sitting unfinished on the dining room table. Till Spring.

My wife has given up. She just buys what she wants. Rather than suffer through another piece of audacious jewelry she’ll never wear. Horrid fragrances. Or high-tech presents she can’t figure out.

As for the kids, forget it. I have no clue. Especially, as they get older. Picking the right present is a total mystery.

Except for this year. This year, I cracked the code. This year, I came up with the one gift all kids need. Never wears out. And can be used again and again. Throughout their lifetime.

It’s the universal present. The one every parent wants for every child. The gift of wisdom.

What’s Wisdom?

Wisdom is not IQ. Book smarts. Mathematical or scientific acumen. Sure, being an ace student is helpful. But life is not subject to rules. Formulas. Or equations.

Little of what our kids will encounter is black and white. Instead, it’s mostly gray. A series of ever-changing circumstances. The unexpected. And unforeseen. Demanding decision after decision. Complex choices. With only limited information. And limitless variables.

No textbook or algorithm has the answers. Because most dilemmas we face involve people. Imperfect humans. Who may not act logically? Rationally. Nor justly. People who are prone to self-interest. Egotism. Fear. Envy. Jealousy. And vengeance.

The daily interactions. And relationships. With family. Friends. Co-workers. Navigating these people dynamics requires discernment. Insight. Judgment.

Wisdom.

Wealth vs. Wisdom

Wisdom is good. Wealth is better. So goes conventional thinking.

After all, cash cures plenty of ills. Papers over mistakes. Missteps. Buying us out of tough spots. The security blanket. To cover us. Against surprises. Or our inevitable errs.

And so, we chase the big bucks. All those hours. Overall those years. The incessant stress and strain. Family sacrifices. To build our bottom line. Because in today’s world, wealth is the primary pursuit.

No Dad would admit this. Aloud. Because greed is not socially acceptable. So, we wrap our true motives in something far more virtuous. Providing for the household. An impactful career. Fulfilling lifelong dreams. Feel-good fluff.

Okay, fluff is a bit harsh. Nonetheless, how much we make and how much we bank seems forever top of mind.

Except, here’s the rub; money is not the great elixir. Preventing problems. Adversity. Hardship. Wealth is merely a remedy. For after the fact. A salve. Or tonic. To mitigate consequences. Or minimize the pain.

Thus, chasing money amounts to chasing our tail.

Wisdom is the means of avoiding calamity. Negating gaffes and blunders. Before they happen. By seeing situations more clearly. Making the right choices. Sound judgments. To keep ourselves out of harm’s way.

Wisdom. A discerning heart. Providing peace of mind.

Get Wisdom

“Get wisdom,” wrote King Solomon in his Book of Proverbs. “Though it cost you all you have.”

Wisdom first. Before wealth. Or material success. Words from the wisest man of all time. And perhaps, the wealthiest. Who led the Israelites through forty years of peace and prosperity. As the most powerful nation on Earth.

Sage advice. For our brood. “Get wisdom.”

Except, wisdom’s not available on Amazon. At Costco. Wisdom can’t be bought. No matter our net worth. Though many have tried. So, where do we find it?

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” revealed Solomon. “Knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” By ‘fear’, the Hebrew King means reverence. Respect. Awe. Listening to God. Through His Word. And following the Lord’s instructions.

Pursuing God. The beginning of wisdom. Got it. And the role of us Dads?

“Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction,” Solomon added. “Pay attention and gain understanding.” A father’s instruction. Tutoring. The key to gathering wisdom. Gaining understanding. And preparing for the many facets of life.

Dads, making the time to teach our kids. Being intentional. Focused. Schooling them about the ways of the world. Beyond the classroom. That’s our role. In developing their wisdom.

Fortunately, Dads are awesome teachers. Coaches. Trainers. We’ve been there. Done that. Survived ups and downs. Overcome obstacles. Traversed tight spots. And learned a thing or two along the way.

Giving our time is easy. And costs nothing. Sowing into our children. Wise counsel. Guidance. The wealth of our experience. Helping our kids grow. And flourish.

The best gift any Dad can give. For them. And for us. A blessing of fatherhood. The joy of being a Dad.

Wisdom. Now, that’s some gift.

Go, Dads. Go.