Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? – 1 King 3:9
“I’m not going to sugarcoat it. Once you leave this car, there’s a chance you’ll encounter a situation requiring a split-second decision,” Dolores warned. “Which means you must be level-headed at all times. Because the choices you make may come with consequences that you aren’t ready for. Do you have any questions before I release you into the world?” “No, Mommy. And your pep talk is getting shorter,” Jeromy acknowledged. “Good. Now go have a wonderful day on your first day as a second grader,” Dolores said with a smile.
One doesn’t have to be an overzealous mother to be concerned about their child’s decision-making. It’s important at any age. As life is ever-changing, so will the choices needed to handle them change. This is why being in a mental state of readiness must be practiced. It was the mindset Solomon desired in his role as a king, a position that would require him to make split-second decisions. Therefore, he humbly sought in advance for “understanding” and “a discerning heart.”
While we can’t always control circumstances, we can choose to be prepared mentally for whatever comes our way. Like Solomon, we should daily seek God’s covering for a sound mind and wisdom to make the right decisions at all times.