Building a Doll House: Following the Directions – Chapter 5

NOTE: If you missed Chapters 1-4 of Building a Doll House, you can find it in the column under "blog archive" to the right.

After opening the doll house kit and marking each piece, Mason read through the directions. It didn’t take long for him to figure out that the given directions were not very good.

Mason knew he would be frustrated if he had use this set of instructions. So he searched the internet to find anything that might help work through this process. He found an excellent online resource that gave some excellent instructions. And there were pictures!

He quickly bookmarked the website and referred to it quite often.

We don’t always get the best instructions for many products in our world. Whether they only include pictures, difficult words, or confusing language, directions can make putting something together difficult.

God knows how important good instructions can be. Scripture is filled with advice when it comes to this topic.

God asks that we listen to instruction. We would be wise to listen and accept instruction, whether it is His or from a wise person.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8)

“Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.” (Proverbs 4:13)

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.” (Proverbs 19:20)

Some benefits of listening to God’s instructions can be seen in these verses.

“Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.” (Proverbs 8:33)

“Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.” (Proverbs 16:20)

“When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; when a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge.” (Proverbs 21:11)

By following God’s direction, He leads us in the way we should go.

“Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.” (Psalm 119:35)

“A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?” (Proverbs 20:24)

“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” (2 Thessalonians 3:5)

There is no doubt about it, when we listen to God’s instruction, accept what He has asked, learn from what He has to say, and allow God to lead us throughout our lives, we will be wise, prosper and gain knowledge. Why then is it so difficult to do?

Because we want to get involved. We want to change the instructions. We think we know better than God and tweak the directions. Sometimes a little. Sometimes a lot. These are the times we get ourselves into trouble.

The online dollhouse instructions proved to be invaluable to us as we worked on Joy’s dollhouse. On multiple occasions, we were thankful that someone had taken the time to document their own journey for others to learn from. That is exactly what God has provided for us. Pages and pages filled with good advice and instruction.

It’s all there for your use. Why not pick up God’s instruction manual and see what He has to say to you today?

“Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.” (Proverbs 23:12)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna