Stay Teachable

“…Do not be stubborn.” Hebrews 3:6-4:13 (ncv)

“Mom, why do you read the same thing over and over again?” My oldest son questioned my monthly routine of reading and rereading the Psalms and Proverbs.

“Because I want to stay teachable. Sometimes a new nugget of God’s wisdom opens my eyes, and other times a verse, a phrase, even a single word aptly convicts my heart.” I knew my teenage son didn’t understand, but I prayed that one day he would.

My mentor, Irene, once told me to “stay teachable” and the words stuck. Growing up, my dad encouraged me to be curious and learn new things. So, as a wife, mother, homemaker, and woman in general, I stay teachable to all things good.


This mindset debunks the old adage, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” because I’m a fifty-something woman still able to learn new skills.

The *Psalms/Proverbs monthly scripture reading plan formed a firm foundation for my daily activities as a wife, mother, and woman in a world where the Christian lifestyle is not always kindly received. “A wise woman strengthens her family, but a foolish woman destroys hers by what she does.” Proverbs 14:1 (ncv)

Atop this foundation, I formed relationships with like-minded women. Our small group of wife-mothers met every Wednesday for about ten years. We shared God’s word, prayed together, and encouraged one another through the ups and downs of our homemaker lives. Besides the spiritual conversations, we shared things like how to clean our homes more efficiently, to support our husbands, and to get our kids to clean their rooms (I never quite mastered that last one). “Wise people can also listen and learn; even they can find good advice in these words.” Proverbs 1:5 (ncv)

As a writer, I stay teachable. I continue to surround myself with wise counsel through writers’ support and critique groups, conferences and publications. Since the beginning of this year, I’ve stretched my internet knowledge and website abilities. “If you listen to correction to improve your life, you will live among the wise. Those who refuse correction hate themselves, but those who accept correction gain understanding.” Proverbs 15:31-32 (ncv)

Do not be stubborn or harden your heart to learn; stay teachable.

“Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.” Proverbs 15:33 (ncv)

*Psalms/Proverbs monthly reading plan is simple. Read six chapters per calendar day. Example: the calendar day is the 6th - read Psalm 6, 36, 66, 96, and 126, and Proverbs 6. Or it’s the 19th of the month: read Ps. 19, 49, 79, 109, 139, and Prov. 19. (Do you see the pattern for Psalms? the day - plus 30 - plus 60 - plus 90 - plus, 120) Exception to the rule: on months with 31 days, I save and read Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, and Proverbs 31. Allow about 30 minutes for each daily reading, 10 of it to jot down key thoughts/verses/convictions to apply.

(Of course, I read more of the Bible than just these two books.)

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