Fran had lunch with Joyce, an assistant in her department, who is a single mom like Fran. Jesus has asked Fran to pray for Joyce and try to get to know her.

As they eat lunch, Joyce pours out her story of her ex-husband’s negligence in paying child support and the day care center that is threatening to refuse to take her son because Joyce is behind in her payments. As Joyce brushes away tears, Fran says to her, “Oh, Joyce, I understand; there’s nothing more important than your son and his care while you work. How much money do you owe the day care center?”

“I’m behind about $400. And Fran, I just don’t have any money,” Joyce replies.

“What about your family?” Fran asks, “Can they help you?”

“Family? Are you kiddin’? My family…” her voice trails off. It’s too painful for her to even talk about.

An idea occurs to Fran, and she says, “Look, Joyce, our church has a fund to help people who are in financial trouble. As a member, I can request help for you. Would it be okay if I request that they help you pay what you owe the day care center?”

Joyce looks at Fran in bewilderment. “You’d do that for me? But why?”

“Why? Just because you need help, and I want to help you. I’d pay it myself if I could. Now, I can’t guarantee they’ll do it, but at least I can ask. Okay?”

“Yeah, okay…” Joyce puts her head in her hands and sobs quietly.

Fran reaches across the table and takes her hand. “You know, Joyce, it’s not an accident that I invited you to lunch today, is it? I believe it’s God’s way of showing you he loves you and is going to take care of you.”

Joyce looks up. “I’m not sure I even believe there is a God, Fran, but I appreciate your help. Sorry I’m so emotional; it’s just that…well, I’ve been so worried about Toby. You’ve at least given me some hope.”

Well, Fran has discovered that Joyce is in her life so that she can show her the love of Jesus. Anybody in your life right now who needs some compassion and understanding? Remember, that person is not in your life by accident.

Fran is learning from Jesus that she can show compassion toward people, even when she doesn’t really like them. Fran’s challenge from Jesus is to get to know Joyce, an assistant in her department who is negative and lazy. He has suggested she first pray for Joyce every day and then invite her to lunch.

It’s the next day, and Fran did pray for Joyce before she left home and asked Jesus to help her see Joyce the way he sees her. As Fran arrives at the office, she looks for Joyce to invite her to lunch. Joyce gives Fran a sour look.

“You got more changes to that proposal?” she asks with irritation.

“No,” Fran replies with a chuckle, “I just wanted to know if you’re available for lunch, Joyce—my treat?”

The look on Joyce’s face is a mixture of surprise and suspicion. “What’s this all about?”

“Not about anything—just lunch,” Fran responds. Joyce agrees, reluctantly, and they set up a time.

After her morning meeting, Fran walks out to Joyce’s desk, and finds her talking on the phone to a friend. She hangs up, and they head next door to the coffee shop. As they sit down Joyce looks at Fran nervously and says, “You’ve had me worried all morning. I figure you’re gonna chew me out about something.”

Fran looks in her eyes and for the first time sees the fear and loneliness there. She says, “No, Joyce, honestly, no hidden agenda here. I just realized yesterday that you and I have worked together for six months but I really don’t know you. I realized we have something in common. I’m a single mom, like you.”

Joyce is still a little suspicious, but she starts to relax. “Yeah, I know. It’s tough, isn’t it? How do you manage with two kids? I can barely make it with one.”

Fran replies, “Well, my kids are a little older, but I remember the terrible two’s. Your son is two, right? What’s his name?”

“Toby,” Joyce’s face lights up as she starts to talk about her son. “Yeah, he’s a hand full, but he’s so cute.” She shows Fran a picture.

“Who keeps him while you work?” Fran asks.

“Day care center—very expensive. In fact, I’m behind in paying them. My ex hasn’t paid any support in months,” Joyce pours out her story to Fran. “I don’t know what I’m going to do, Fran.” Tears start down her cheek, and she quickly tries to hide them.

Fran thinks, “You’re right, Lord, this woman needs a friend. She’s not in my life by accident.”

If you’ve ever had difficulty with a lazy co-worker, you’ll relate to this Fran and Jesus story. Fran is dealing with an assistant who is very lazy, and Fran finds it hard to like her. Jesus has been helping her learn how to deal with this coworker named Joyce.

On the way home from work this day, after a confrontation with Joyce, Fran says to Jesus, “Lord, I could see a slight change in Joyce after I tried to find the right words to motivate her. Thanks for bringing that verse from Proverbs to my mind about choosing my words carefully. But really, I shouldn’t have to baby her just to get her to do her work. Nobody babies me.”

“Well, nobody babies you, that’s true, but you do have someone to help you,” Jesus reminds her. “You see, Fran, you have to keep remembering Joyce doesn’t have my presence with her like you do. Have you ever thought about what her life must be like? Do you know her at all?”

“Know her? Well, all I know is she’s divorced, has a two-year-old boy, I think, and from what I hear, has a lot of financial problems.” Fran tries to piece together what she does know about Joyce. “Someone told me she’s in the bars a lot, looking for guys and getting drunk.”

“You know, Fran, you have some things in common with Joyce. Why don’t you get to know her better?” Jesus suggests.

“You mean because I’m a single mom, too? Yeah, but beyond that we certainly don’t have anything in common. She’s not my type, Jesus; I don’t think so,” Fran tries to dismiss the suggestion.

“She’s my type, Fran, and she’s not in your life by accident,” Jesus repeats what he told her earlier.

“Okay, okay—so what do you want me to do?” Fran asks.

“First, I want you to pray for her every day. Then I suggest you invite her to lunch and just get to know her better,” Jesus replies.

“Pray for her and invite her to lunch. Yeah, I guess I can do that,” Fran agrees. “Can’t say I want to, but since you suggested it, I will.”

“You know, Fran, this gives you an opportunity to show compassion to a person who isn’t exactly ‘your type. That’s what I would do,” Jesus encourages Fran.

“Well, okay, I’ll do my best, but you know I’ll need your help because I don’t feel like doing it,” Fran confesses.

“I’ll be right there with you. You can count on me,” Jesus assures her.

And with that they pull in her driveway, and Fran puts on her “mother hat” to begin her second and most important job with her two children.

What does it mean to show compassion to someone who irritates you? Fran is running into that problem at work, as we continue our story of Fran and Jesus on the Job. This ongoing story is told to remind all of us that Jesus is with us at all times, and we need to be aware of his presence. It truly makes a difference, as Fran has learned many times.

Today Fran is rushing to get a proposal revised and her assistant, Joyce, tends to be lazy and less than helpful. Expecting a negative reaction, Fran heaves a sigh and heads to Joyce’s desk. “Joyce, here are the last changes to the Walton proposal. Please make those changes and reprint it for me. I’ll need it before you leave today if you don’t mind,” Fran says, trying to sound pleasant.

“If I don’t mind?” Joyce replies. “Well, I do mind. It’s 4:00, and I leave here at 4:30. Why’d you wait so late to give it to me?” Joyce snatches it from Fran’s hand as she slowly puts down the magazine she was reading.

“Joyce, I just got the changes from Marilyn. You know it has to be done today. Sorry, but that’s the way it is,” Fran says with irritation in her voice.

Jesus nudges Fran. “Remember, sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.” Jesus brings a verse from Proverbs to her mind.

“But, Lord,” she replies, “all I’m asking is for her to do her job. If she’d get busy, she could have it done pretty fast. I just don’t feel like babying her; she doesn’t deserve it.”

“If you run on your feelings, Fran,” Jesus reminds her, “you’ll never be able to be a consistently compassionate person because you won’t always feel like it.”

Fran turns to Joyce again, and with great effort says, “Look, Joyce, I know it’s late; I wish I could have gotten it to you sooner. But I really would appreciate your help. I don’t think you’ll have to work much past 4:30. I’ll be in my office if you have any questions.”

“Much better,” Jesus whispers to Fran.

She says, “Well, I said it through clinched teeth.”

“That’s okay,” he replies, “you showed some compassion instead of showing your irritation.”

“Well,” she whispers back, “I would never have done it if you hadn’t been here.”

“That’s the whole idea, Fran,” Jesus says to her. “That’s why I’m with you all the time—to give you the power to do what you could never do by yourself.”

Joyce’s voice almost startles Fran. “Okay, well, yeah—okay, I’ll try to get it done.” Fran can see a slight change in her attitude.

“Thanks, Joyce,” she says.

Getting along with coworkers is not always the easiest thing to do, is it? I’m exploring our story of Fran and Jesus on the Job, as Fran runs into a problem with one of her coworkers. I continue these episodes because many of you have told me they really help you to understand that Jesus is with you all day on your job, and you’ve been practicing his presence better as a result.

On this particular day Fran is rushing to get a proposal finished for an early meeting tomorrow with a new prospect. She thinks, “I’ll be glad when this is finished; Marilyn made a few more changes. Now I’ve got to get Joyce to make the changes and reprint it. I just dread even approaching Joyce. She has such a rotten attitude. When you ask her to do anything, she’s as sour as a lemon, she’s lazy, and her work is poor.”

She can hear the quiet voice of Jesus say: “Yes, she presents a challenge for you, doesn’t she?”

“Well, challenge is a nice way to put it. She drives me crazy! After all, she is the assistant for the department. It’s her job to help us with these projects. But she acts like she’s doing you a favor when she does her job. I just can’t stand people with lazy attitudes.” Fran expresses her feelings.

“Fran,” Jesus quietly responds, “don’t forget, no one is in your life by accident.”

Fran stops in her tracks to ponder that thought. “No one is in my life by accident? Yeah, but…” Fran pauses. “You mean, Lord, you have purposely allowed Joyce into my life? You want to cause me grief and frustration? What good does Joyce do me?” Fran’s self-centered thoughts are showing.

Again, she can hear Jesus say, “You may not think Joyce is doing you any good, but have you forgotten I often work in you through other people? And besides, Joyce needs you in her life.”

Fran really doesn’t want to hear that. She knows she should be compassionate and caring toward Joyce, but that’s just asking too much. “Look, Lord, all Joyce has to do is what she’s paid to do. I’m not supposed to baby her when she’s so lazy, am I?”

“No, not baby her, but love her,” Jesus responds. “You know, I love her—just as much as I love you.”

Fran wrinkles her nose. Not exactly what she wanted to hear.

When we talk about being transformed, we’re talking about something very strong. It’s not a word to throw around because it means a real change in our nature or character or appearance. It signifies a turning point, something permanent, not temporary. So, what would you identify as the transformational points in your life? What person or situation or event has made a truly significant difference in your life—for the better?

If you think carefully about it, my guess is that the transformational points in your life came as a result of love. Love has the power to transform us.

For example, getting to know Jesus and accepting his gift of salvation certainly transforms our nature, doesn’t it? The Bible says we become new creations in Christ; the new has come, the old has gone. The love of God transforms us like no other love ever could.

No wonder John 3:16 is the favorite verse in the Bible for many people. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. It’s because of this incredible love we can have eternal life. I love the old hymn that begins “Loved with everlasting love, led by grace that love to know.” And then ends by declaring, “In a love that will not cease, I am his and he is mine.” (George Wade Robinson, “Loved with Everlasting Love,” 1838-1877).

Knowing I am the one Jesus loves has transformed me. How about you? I simply can’t get through that hymn without tears of joy just knowing how God—the God of all the universe—loves me. Love is transformational. There’s no doubt about it.

Have you been transformed by the power of the love of Jesus? Have you accepted his free gift of salvation by confessing your sins and believing that he is the Son of God who paid the price for your sin, because he loves you? If not, there is no doubt you have an empty space inside of you that is love-starved for Jesus, and I would urge you even today to simply confess your sins to him and accept the love he offers.

It is God’s love for us that transforms us, and then, it is our privilege and responsibility to share that love with others. Romans 5:5 tells us that God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. When we are born into God’s family through faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us, and he simply pours God’s love into our hearts.

Then, when we have received God’s unconditional love, we are admonished throughout Scripture to love as we have been loved by God.

John 13:34- 35: A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Romans 12:10: Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Matthew 22:37- 39: Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Is there someone in your life right now who is trouble for you? Could be a co-worker or a boss, a child or a mate, a friend or foe. You know what they need? Love. I know—they’re probably not very lovable right now, but that doesn’t change the fact that they need love! What could you do today to show love to that person—undeserved, unconditional love? Maybe it’s a phone call or a note or a gift or a listening ear. Maybe it’s a lack of criticism and condemnation, a willingness to love them as they are, in their unlovable condition.

But here’s the roadblock we often encounter: How can you love someone when you don’t feel it? How can you show love when someone isn’t loving you back; when they are not lovable; when they may not deserve your love? Well, this is where God’s love in us has to kick in, and the good news is, love—God’s kind of love—is expressed in actions, not necessarily in feelings.

In 1 Corinthians 13 we have the definitive description of how you love someone, whether you feel it or not. We are given specific actions and behaviors we can choose to exhibit whether or not we feel them. Consider these love actions:

• Love is patient and kind. Does patience come easy for you? It doesn’t for me; but when you and I choose to be patient with someone, we are showing love. And when we are kind to someone who is not kind to us, we are loving them. You do it by choice, not by feelings, but you do it—and it is credited to you as love!
• Love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. Well, that’s pretty practical and down-to-earth, isn’t it? For example, if you hear your friend just got a raise or a great new job or a new house or got married, and you choose to rejoice with her instead of envying her, you have chosen to love her. If you intentionally refrain from boasting about yourself or your accomplishments, you are loving others. If you are not rude to that person who just cut in line in front of you, even though you want to say something, you have chosen the path of lo
• Love does not rejoice in wrong doing, but rejoices with the truth. This pretty much eliminates gossip, doesn’t it? A loving person simply does not get any joy in passing along bad news about other people. Instead, she assumes the best instead of the worst and is never part of gossip or malicious talk.
• Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love simply hangs in there with people, never giving up, always hoping for the best, listening when you don’t want to listen anymore, believing that God can turn any person, any situation around.

I encourage you—indeed, I challenge you — to read 1 Corinthians 13 every day for a week. Just begin each day reading this incredible definition of what true love is—what you can do every day to be a lover of people. It would take you maybe five minutes to read it, and it will transform your thinking. Learning to see love as actions, not feelings, will make a huge difference, and it will transform the way you see others, which will in turn transform the way you treat others, which may well transform the way they respond and react to you. It could start a “trickle-down effect” that will astonish you.

We’ve created a bookmark with this chapter on it, which makes it very handy to keep with you and read each day. You will find it on our website—christianworkingwoman.org—and it can be easily printed.

Don’t you agree we often get so busy in our day-to-day lives that we forget to stop and express love? Frankly, I find I’m always ready to receive love but not always prepared to give it. I’ve learned that I have to become intentional about expressing love; I have to remember to do it. I often take for granted the love I receive from others—my family and friends—without focusing on the expressions of love they need from me.

Love is transformational. We can become God’s agents of change to people in our lives by simply taking time each day to give love, and love can be given in many different ways, as we’ve seen from 1 Corinthians 13.

Here’s how you can start practicing love—becoming an intentional lover. It begins when you allow God’s love for you to fill up the emptiness inside you. When your need to be loved is met as you more and more understand your identify in Jesus’ love for you, when you daily remind yourself that you are the one Jesus loves—that is what gives you value and significance. Then, knowing you are loved by the one true God, you can love others, and you’ll discover the love you give others comes back to you. We get love by giving it away. We have love to give away because we know we are loved by Jesus.

So, not only does God’s love for you fill you up and satisfy you, as you start giving love to others, that love comes back to you and fills you up again. Because of this, you’re overflowing with the knowledge that God loves you, and you are enriched by the love you receive from others.

Love is powerful. It never fails. So, I hope you will more and more bask in the incredibly good news that God loves you and nothing can separate you from his love. And then you will become more and more intentional about loving others. It has the power to transform you, your relationships, your attitude, your productivity. Love transforms us. Believe me, it’s true.

So, who is in your life today? How can you give them love? Here are some suggestions:

• Find something good about that person or people and express it in words to them.
• Listen to someone’s story without criticizing or lecturing them—even without giving advice.
• Call someone who is needy and say, “I’m here for you if you need me.”
• Compliment someone on a job well done, an attractive outfit, a kindness offered.
• Smile!

It doesn’t take much to share love with someone else. We just have to remember to do it. So, of course, we need to pray that God will help us to become lovers—people who willingly and frequently share his love with others. Remember, love begets love. Try it! You won’t be sorry you did.

Presented by Lisa Bishop

We are examining the 5 attitudes for everyday life, and today let’s look at what the apostle Paul writes about having a Christ-like attitude.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:3-5).

These verses challenge us to align our attitudes with the very heart and mind of Jesus. They’re a reminder we are called to reflect Jesus in our daily lives.

But what does it mean to have a Christ-like attitude?

First, it means embracing humility. Even though he was God, Jesus didn’t cling to his divine privileges. Instead, he emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7). A Christ-like attitude doesn’t elevate self, seek status or recognition, but is willing to serve others selflessly. When we have an attitude like Jesus we find joy in lifting others up. We find ways to be generous with our words, our finances, our resources, and our time, even when it costs us something.

Second, a Christ-like attitude is marked by love and compassion. Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus moved with compassion, whether he’s feeding the hungry, healing the sick, or comforting the brokenhearted. His love wasn’t conditional or reserved for those who thought the same way he did or could give him something in return. Jesus’s love was freely given to all. In our daily lives, we are called to mirror this love—offering grace, kindness, and forgiveness, even when it’s hard or we think someone does not deserve it.

Third, a Christ-like attitude is characterized by obedience and surrender to God’s will. Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, not my will, but yours be done (Luke 22:42). He was obedient to the point of death on a cross. Similarly, we are called to surrender our desires and plans to God, trusting his ways are higher, and his plans are perfect. This requires a heart that is willing to listen, to be led, and to follow wherever he may guide us.

Living with a Christ-like attitude isn’t easy when we operate in the flesh. It requires renewing our heart and mind with God’s Word and prayer, abiding in Jesus, and relying on the Holy Spirit. As we grow in our relationship with God, we display more of his character. We reflect his heart, and our attitudes bring glory to him in everything we do.

Presented by Lisa Bishop

We are examining the 5 attitudes for everyday life, and today, let’s talk about the attitude of curiosity.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you thought you were right about something or someone only to get more information and find out you were dead wrong? I know I have too many times to count.

Our brains have a tendency to jump to conclusions rather than asking clarifying questions, and that can cause us to make assumptions. And when we do, it can damage our relationships. If we are not careful our rash reaction can impact our witness as followers of Jesus too.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires (James 1:19-20).

What do these verses have to do with taking on an attitude of curiosity? When we do not heed these wise words and instead find ourselves reacting with certainty rather than pausing and engaging our curiosity we tend to operate from a place of judgment. We come from an “I know I am right” attitude, but the reality is we often do not have the full picture. We have a tendency to presume we know all the facts when in reality we rarely do.

When that co-worker, spouse, or friend does or says something and you are convinced you know their motive and intention, rather than presuming to know what is true, get curious!

One way to do this is to switch from the mindset of “I bet,” to “I wonder.”

Rather than, “I bet my co-worker is withholding information from me,” switch to, “I wonder why I haven’t received an update on that project yet. There must be a variable I am unaware of.”

Or move from, “I bet my friend didn’t return my text because she’s not that interested in our friendship,” to “I wonder why my friend hasn’t replied. She must have forgotten or has a lot going on.”

Now, it may turn out your co-worker is withholding information, or your friend is distancing herself, but that’s not the point. The point is our assumptions are more often inaccurate, and we all know what assuming can do. It can make us look like a fool. The next time you are quick to judge and jump to conclusions, move from “I bet,” to “I wonder,” believe the best, and see what moving from certainty to curiosity can do.

Presented by Lisa Bishop

I’m examining the 5 attitudes for everyday life, and today I want to invite you to reflect on this question, “Are you an encourager?”

Think about it. The dictionary defines encouragement as words or behavior that give someone the confidence to do something.

In other words, when we encourage someone, we give courage to them.

I was flying home from a work trip the other day when a text came through right before takeoff. It was from a woman I had not seen or talked to in two years and out of the blue her words of encouragement came through. They brought tears to my eyes and were like water to my soul.

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the body (Proverbs 16:24).

When you speak goodhearted words, it breathes life into people. The words you speak can bring healing.

A few weeks ago, I was having lunch with a friend, and I started chatting up the young man who was preparing our order. I commented about how much I appreciated his kind disposition. You should have seen the look on his face. He lit up, flashed a huge smile, and then proceeded to tell me I just made his day. I don’t say this to toot my own horn but rather to share an example of how easy it can be to breathe life into people around us every day. How do you use your words to strengthen those around you? Think about people at work. Who can you give sincere words of encouragement to? Simply point out something you appreciate about who they are and the value they bring to the team. Studies show people who feel appreciated at their job have more joy and greater satisfaction.

I don’t know why, but we can be so stingy with our words when it doesn’t take much to make a positive impact on someone. I think we can all agree there is a shortage of kindness these days. Whether in the workplace, at home, or at the grocery store, there’s no limit to the love and light of Jesus that we can spread when we use our words to water another person’s soul.

As you go about your days, look for ways to breathe life into people with your words. Be an encourager. Say a kind word. You just never know the impact you can have, and what you say may just be the boost someone needs to keep going in their day.

Presented by Lisa Bishop

We’re examining the 5 attitudes for everyday life, and today, let’s look at our approachability.

How approachable are you? Do people find it easy to interact with you, or are you prickly, perhaps a bit dismissive, distracted, or disengaged?

Sometimes we can unintentionally put off an attitude that deters people from wanting to interact with us. Not too long ago, I worked with someone who frequently put off a grumpy vibe. Needless to say, it wasn’t super pleasant to work with him when his attitude was like a big dark rain cloud. As I prepared myself to go to work, I wondered, “Am I going to get the pleasant version or the wet blanket?” His demeanor created an uncomfortable atmosphere of walking on eggshells.

Now, we all have bad days, myself included, but if we find ourselves in a pattern of being easily irritated or edgy, we carry an imaginary sign that says do not disturb and disrupt our connection with people. We can damage relationships at home and the office, and our witness as followers of Jesus is hampered.

Digital distractions can also compromise our kinship with people. In this age of technology, there are way too many opportunities to check out of conversations and miss truly connecting with people around you. We want to consciously build connections with people, not send mixed signals. This can be particularly challenging when our plates are full, but we never want to be so busy we blow past investing in relationships.

When I think about ways of being that communicate approachability, I am reminded of Galatians 5:22-23.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

We need to be asking ourselves, “Does my attitude reflect the fruit of my faith?” “Do people feel loved, cared for, and included by me?” “Do I exude joy even in challenging or stress-filled circumstances?” “Am I patient and kind at work even when it’s crunch time?”

As followers of Jesus, we have a tremendous opportunity and responsibility to behave in ways becoming of Jesus; ways that put the glory of God on display. Our lives and demeanors are meant to invite people to engage with us, not turn them away. As you go about your day, how can you behave in a way that creates an invitation for connection and gives people the feeling that you are approachable?

Presented by Lisa Bishop Are you teachable? We will examine the 5 attitudes for everyday life, and today, let’s look at our teachability. When it comes to having a posture of learning, Proverbs 1:5-7 reminds us of this, Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:5-7). These words teach us as followers of Jesus, God’s Word is filled with wisdom and instruction and should always be our go-to and guide. In a broader sense, they also remind us to have a posture of teachability and be open to correction. Sometimes we can become so self-absorbed that our pride, ego, or arrogance can prevent us from inviting instruction, learning from others, seeking out different perspectives, and being open to hearing differing opinions. We can find ourselves so convinced we are right that we are closed off from considering anything out of the scope of what we already know, or think we know. I think it’s interesting that Proverbs is intentional to point out the pursuit of increasing our learning. These words remind us even the wisest of the wise should be open to listening and adding to their knowledge. We never know it all and we should continue to be intentional about seeking opportunities to learn, understand, and expand our insight. If you think about it, these wise words can apply to the workplace, home life, and relationships with friends. When we have an “I already know that” attitude, it does not leave much room for growth and can stunt our relationships. When we are teachable and adopt a learner’s mindset, when we are willing, with wisdom, to invite correction and consider other points of view, we display the godly character of humility. In what circumstances and in which relationships can you take on a posture of listening, openness, and learning this week? When you do, perhaps you will learn something new.