Puritan Proverbs
Sometimes it seems as if we Americans have a love-hate relationship with our Puritan history. Those with strong Protestant backgrounds (especially tending toward Calvinism) seem to appreciate Puritan views, while others see our nation’s forebears as fanatical, harsh, and stoic. Whatever your view, here are some great Puritan proverbs to ponder.
The first is well known in various forms: “As you sow, so shall you reap.” This cannot be stressed enough! You can’t spend your entire life building a house with glass windows and then bemoan the first storm. You can’t speed down the road on your custom-built motorcycle and cry over the loss of your beloved set of wheels when the inevitable happens.
Next is “Love rules without a sword and binds without a cord.” A truly beautiful representation of Scriptural love. If friends and family treat each other gently, no one will have cause for bitterness. Children will not resent a tender father when he lays down the law, as they understand --- through his usual kindness --- that he means the best. Love is binding but not stifling.
Third comes “Never let what you don’t know disturb your faith in what you do know.” This is a wonderful gem! Do not let doubts and confusions pull you from God, for Christians know instinctively that He is there and He is in control.
The last one is my favorite (tongue-in-cheek): “Marry a child of the devil and you’re going to have problems with your father-in-law”! Hmmm . . . I don’t know what to say about this one. Feel free to embellish this proverb with your own imaginations!
(c) 2012 Joyously Saved
No comments:
Post a Comment