Who are You Listening To?

In this day  of ubiquitous blogs and books on parenting, it seems like advice is free-flowing and able to confirm anything your itching ears want to hear.

One thing that greatly baffles me, however, is to whom people listen. Only in the area of parenting, do you find people throwing common sense to the wind so they can hear what they want to hear rather than the proven truth. 

Say I want to learn how to paint... who do I find to teach me....a child just learning to finger-paint, or a master artist? What if I want to become a surgeon...do I learn from  someone who has saved many lives, or to someone who has lost half of his patients?

Likewise, who should I learn from when I need parenting advice...someone with young children, just starting on the parenting journey, someone who's lost half of her children, or someone who's raised their children into responsible, godly adults with solid character? Certainly, there are many wise young parents who give great advice, but be sure that what they are saying lines up with Scripture and what older, seasoned parents have to say.  As for listening to those who have not reaped good results with their methods, well...that is truly baffling. The proof is in the fruit.

Anyone can write a blog post (even me!)  Anyone can write a book and be a self-proclaimed expert.  And, of course, anyone can voice their well-meaning opinion...but who are YOU listening to?

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A Wise Woman Builds her Home