Garland And Chain

 Proverbs 1:8-9 says,

"Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck."

Some people do not have a father or mother at all. Then there are those individuals who have or had parents that never had proper instruction to give or wise teaching to deliver. 

However, to those people, like me, who were blessed to have a father and mother who knew how to administer instruction and teaching - we should honor them and what they bestowed upon us every day according to this Proverbs passage.

In this Proverb "garland" is pictured as being not only worn on the head, but the son mentioned is graced or favored to have it there to begin with - "They are a garland to grace your head".

As the garland is on the head it is visible to all who look directly at the son or individual wearing it. The garland refers back to both your father's instruction and mother's teaching. With the garland or instruction and teaching being so closely aligned with the head, the analogy is simple to make - our thinking, attitude and actions should clearly be evident from our brain and what we recall as our parental instruction and teaching.

In the same manner that the garland is associated with the head, brain and thought-life, the "chain" is linked with the heart. Just as nobody can miss a garland or wreath on one's head, so nobody can escape a necklace hanging around the neck close to one's heart - a chain to adorn your neck.". Here, again the "chain" is symbolic to both the father's instruction and the mother's teaching. And we should be proud to "adorn" or show them off on a daily basis as a foundation in our lives.

God makes the ultimate set of parents in and of Himself. I believe that if we listen and obey even moreso the instructions and teachings of our Heavenly Father, then His grace or favor will be manifested in smart decisions and our heart will know perfect peace.

I believe God is telling us through Solomon that our thoughts and behavior should honor not only our earthly father and mother and their investment in our lives, but ultimately Father God's personal investment. In this picture of a head of garland and chain around the heart, both our mental and emotional make-up is addressed by The Lord.

In a world so full of mental health conscienceness, God takes care of both mental and emotional health in this verse. I hope and pray those of you that read this have wonderful parents who you can recall great instruction and teaching from. If you do not have this blessing, I hope and pray Christ Jesus is your personal Lord and Savior and that you are leaning on and into Him as your Garland And Chain.