Pondering Proverbs 1:8-19

It’s been a busy year so far. I’ve been behind on Proverbs pondering. I spent the year homeschooling my son for his kindergarten year. For his first grade year, my husband and I decided to send him to public school. I wonder what adventures await us this year.

The “Stay away from bad company” theme for the Proverbs 1:18-19 passage seems very much appropriate right now. As I trust God to protect my precious son in the big bad world, I’m hoping that I successfully nurtured him in wisdom during his first six years of life.

“My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;” Proverbs 1:8 NKJV

I read this verse and have to dig back deep in the recesses of my memory. What were the instructions from my father and the law of my mother?
My mother passed away when I was 18 years old and my father was left burdened to raise my 12 year old brother alone. The scar of my mom’s death has blurred my reflection on my parental influences. Now that I’m a mother myself, I long to make sure my son is instructed in wisdom. I know firsthand that we are not guaranteed tomorrow. God is sovereign. No matter how good of a person you are to others, doesn’t guarantee a long and trouble free life.

My mother was kind and giving. She lived as she believed. Even though her persistence to be a devoted wife and mother may have physically drained her, she did not bow out from her convictions. She did not abandon relationships when they got uncomfortable.

But there appears to be a gray area in loyalty to loved ones. I mean, how intertwined should one be with a self-destructive person? How does one dance on a stage with a loved one who is two stepping too close to the edge?
“My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path; for their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood.” Proverbs 1:15-16 NKJV.
So I guess, I can acknowledge them on the dance floor, just not take their hand and steer clear when they’re dancing wild.