I have shared this story before. When we were freshmen at the University of Tennessee, the week we played Kentucky was always a canned food and blood drive. My roommate Rebecca and I saw the signs in our dorm (Hess Hall) you would receive a free T-shirt if you donated blood. You know college kids are all about anything free. So we decided we would go down to the lobby the day before the game, and give blood.
I had never given blood, nor did I know anything about giving blood. Rebecca had much more of a scientific look to things, and she said, “I don’t know if you should do this.” To me, that was almost like a challenge.
Challenge accepted.
The nurse who was taking the blood on our side was really harsh. I called her Nurse Ratched. She was no-nonsense. As she was finishing up drawing my blood, she told me, “I want you to sit up very slowly, you hear me?” When she turned around, I made a silly face and rolled my eyes at Rebecca. Little did my smart alecky self realize, she was looking out for me. I did not know I did not meet the weight requirements to give blood. So when I sat up, I was ready to prove everyone wrong and bee-bop my way out of there.
Here’s the thing. I bee-bopped, alright. I fainted. Passed out. Hit the floor, face first.
When I woke up, the nurse was holding an oatmeal pie and a glass of orange juice for me. “You ready to listen this time and take this slowly?” she asked me.
“Yes ma’am. I’m so sorry,” I sheepishly said.
A mark of Rebecca’s character is she was hovering over me with the nurse when I hit the floor. But when I came to, she was there to laugh her tail off at me. (And I had it coming!)
Rebecca and I still laugh about it, to this day.
“The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” - Proverbs 12:15 (NIV)
I still do not know how I thought I, an 18 year old college freshman, knew more than this seasoned nurse. The nurse I thought was so harsh and mean, (but it turns out she had probably had her fill of jerks like me), was just trying to take care of me.
I was being a fool and not listening.
I cannot tell you how many times loved ones tried to warn me about someone or something, and I didn’t listen. I paid the price, too. The way of fools seems right to them … but the wise listen to advice.
After a while of suffering, you realize you know what? I actually don’t know everything. I am not sure I know anything! I need some wise people to speak truth into my heart.
That is when you realize how much God loves you. He allows the dumb mistakes, then when you give Him total and complete control, He sends beautiful wisdom into your life to breathe hope, love and wisdom into your life. Ask God to send people who speak His truth into your life and heed their advice. And have a sense of humor enough to laugh at your mistakes, and grow from them.