Ask your Father.

 "The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD." Prov. 16:1

Ask your father. How many times have we heard that growing up?  Most of the time, my mother’s permission came like a stamp of approval upon some “preparation” of my heart.  A simple “yes” would send this ten year old out the door with all the authority to “do” some thing I wanted to do.  Then there were times when my mind would come up with what were sometimes questionable, dangerous, or outrageous requests.  Once those ideas would lay hold of my heart, there was no letting go.  My mother was wise enough to know that the State Circuit Court of Appeals was not “high” enough.  She knew a Federal case when she saw one.  Because there are some things that belong in the Supreme Court of Family Affairs she would say, “Ask your father.” 

Life would have been less painful if I had realized that there was a higher court than that.  Every thought and imagination of the heart must be made to pass through Airport Security, because there is a bomb in every “bad” idea.  “Search me, Oh God and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts.  See if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in way everlasting.” (Ps. 139:23-24). This is another good reason we should pray more.  Ask your Father.                           -id