Mark Twain 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.” Feel like Twain’s dad? Often, the difference isn’t how much you’ve learned; but like Mark Twain, your kid needs to mature. My advice: lean into the next seven years. Why? #1 God calls YOU (4:1-9): The reference to father isn’t metaphorical. I extrapolated the Hebrew from the original manuscripts for you, “father” means dad. : ) I count 13 directives to “get wisdom,” “do not forsake,” and “prize her (wisdom).” Baked into these verses is time/engagement/love. You are the one to teach your son—more than school/church/grandma. God calls you. Be wise. #2 You decide your path (4:10-19): Solomon said to pick a path: wisdom or foolishness. Guide your son in the “way of wisdom” that leads to life OR along the “way of the evil” that leads to death. Both sides make their own disciples. Pick wisdom. #3 “Keep your heart” (4:20-27): “Heart” in Scripture can mean emotions (Neh. 2:2), will (Prov. 11:20), and understanding (Deut. 29:4). How can you keep your heart? Pay attention to your body. MOUTH: “Put devious talk far from you.” EYES: “Look directly forward.” FEET: “Turn your foot away from evil.” There’s no better gift than wisdom to give your kids. Keep picking wisdom. 

HOW TO PARENT GROWN CHILDREN: Fatherhood has its own unique set of challenges. And those challenges don’t simply disappear when your son or daughter heads out on their own. Figuring out the best way to invest in your adult children takes as much planning and prayer as any other stage you’ve faced. We’ve identified five things you can start doing to establish and strengthen a great parental relationship with your adult kids.

PROVERBS 4 AND THE BATTLE FOR YOUR HEART: When the ancient Hebrews talked about the heart, they focused on every nook and cranny of a person’s being. Everything was rooted in the heart, which also made it a prime spiritual battlefield. That’s why Solomon said that guarding your heart was one of the most important things you could do in life. Truth is, not much has changed since Solomon’s day. As a man, you still need to guard your heart because it still connects every dot in your life. If you’re wondering how to get started, this deep dive into Proverbs 4 might be just what you need to kickstart your own battle plan for protecting your heart.

“Step with care and great tact, and remember that life’s a great balancing act.” —Dr. Seuss

“If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” —Lewis Carroll

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.” —Charles Spurgeon

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” —Will Durant

Heart check. “Guard your heart” by taking your heart seriously. The more methods, the better. Some ideas to guard your heart this week: spend time daily in God’s Word, pray, journal, listen to worship music, listen to Christian podcasts, watch sermons on YouTube, go to church, share with your wife what’s going on with you, tell a trusted friend what’s happening in your life, connect with some men you can be honest with. All of these sound pretty wise if you ask me. 😁

Kent Evans
Author of Bring Your Hammer, co-founder of Manhood Journey

P.S. Was this Mountain Monday helpful? Tell me if you love it, hate it, or if there’s something you’d like in the next one.

Forward this to a dad you know who needs some encouragement.