ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

Mark Twain once said, “When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.”

When we’re in our teen years, we tend to think we are the only ones who know anything, but there is some merit in age. Old people have had the benefit of years of experience. We know what love’s first kiss feels like. We’ve experienced the joy of bringing a new life into the world. We’ve struggled with finances, child rearing, striving for success, building a life. Our minds have been filled with learning.

Age doesn’t always make us wise however. We still tend to make the same mistakes, follow the wrong path, hurt people with words or actions. The truth is that the older we get, the smarter we think we are, and that can make it appear that we don’t know anything. Knowledge comes from experience. Experience comes from living. Life comes from God and He is the source of all wisdom.

Wisdom grows from experience, through trial and disappointment,

It can also evolve through times of peace, satisfaction and contentment,

 However it is obtained, we can be confident that it comes from God,

A gift,

One of many,

Given by the Creator,

Not always easy to achieve,

Often lost during times of decision,

Often deferred for the sake of self-gratification,

Often defined by circumstances,

Like hope, we often lose it when faced with difficult circumstances,

But it is a gift nonetheless – for our ultimate good.