Friends and family are so very important in life. They have power to encourage, exhort, and love unconditionally! They also have the ability to pull down and even destroy. That's why it's so important to have input and purpose, and give direction when it comes to our children's friends, as well as our own. Everything should have a purpose. It's easy to see when a child is being pulled in the wrong direction, but it's harder to do something about it.
We are extremely blessed with many friends who care enough about us to tell us the truth, to rebuke us when needed. Several of our friends have pointed out things that we wouldn't have caught otherwise. Some have questioned our choices and motives to help us see something better. At the conclusion of a 4 day visit we asked our friends, 'What are we missing? What can we improve on?' And can you believe they were honest?!!! Proverbs 27:5 "Open rebuke [is] better than love carefully concealed." We know they love us dearly! That was a huge blessing because at the time we didn't see it at all, and then BAM! it was there. It was huge! And it was ugly! But we knew how to correct it and that gentle, loving rebuke saved us from a lot of pain and turmoil down the road.
So now we try to make it a practice to let our friends know that we want their feedback! We want help! We don't want to look back on this journey with regret, wishing we had done something different when it's too late. I pray we always have humble, teachable hearts, yeilding to God's will and God's way!
Proverbs 9:8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise [man], and he will love you.
Proverbs 13:18 Poverty and shame [will come] to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.
Proverbs 15:32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
Proverbs 17:10 Rebuke is more effective for a wise [man] Than a hundred blows on a fool.
Proverbs 19:25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, [and] he will discern knowledge.
Proverbs 24:25 But those who rebuke [the wicked] will have delight, And a good blessing will come upon them.
Ecclestiastes 7:5 [It is] better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools.
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
Titus 1:13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
Titus 2:15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
Proverbs 9:8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise [man], and he will love you.
Proverbs 13:18 Poverty and shame [will come] to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.
Proverbs 15:32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
Proverbs 17:10 Rebuke is more effective for a wise [man] Than a hundred blows on a fool.
Proverbs 19:25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, [and] he will discern knowledge.
Proverbs 24:25 But those who rebuke [the wicked] will have delight, And a good blessing will come upon them.
Ecclestiastes 7:5 [It is] better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools.
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
Titus 1:13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
Titus 2:15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
