Trying to Share Wisdom

My son, pay attention to my wisdom,

listen well to my words of insight.

Proverbs 5:1

My new freshman class at the Specialty Center for the Arts where I teach is a lively group of  eleven teens.  Every school year, I have at least one student in my 9th grade class who comes in feeling like they own the world:  they have already conquered the intricacies of singing, they are "seasoned" performers, they are going to go on and star on Broadway, and our little class is just a side station that they have to get through as they are up and on to better things.  They don't know me from Adam, and their attitude appears to be that I probably know about as much about singing as he did.  I have a hard time to keep from grinning when I realize that I have another live wire!

This year is no exception.  One student stood out as someone who considers themselves light years ahead of their fellow classmates.  I handed out this individual's song for the first nine weeks - an English art song that was only two pages in length, had two verses, and was quite repetitive in words as well as music.  A piece of cake, right?  Well, it should have been.  But this individual came to class each week with very little preparation of the song.  Our first nine weeks period is actually closer to seven weeks long, so the dress rehearsal came up quickly.  This student came up on stage, did their spoken introduction, launched into the song, and promptly forgot their words.  I had begged, pleaded and cajoled for weeks to try and motivate this kid.  Now I made a unilateral decision as the teacher - they would have to sing the recital using their music.  Much wailing and gnashing of teeth ensued.  No way were they going to do that.  "Yes way," I said.

Recital day arrived, and then this student's time to perform.  They came onstage with the music, put it on a stand about a foot away from where they stood, and gave their spoken introduction.  I started the piano accompaniment and waited for the meltdown I knew would follow.  The student positively trashed the piece - couldn't remember the words, couldn't remember the music, couldn't remember anything.  It was a very painful public collapse, and one that was completely unnecessary.

Throughout the book of Proverbs, King Solomon pleads with his listeners to give heed to his words and advice regarding the wisdom and understanding that comes from God.  Solomon knew from hard-knock experience that man's wisdom isn't worth a hill of beans when it comes to the pressures and insanity of life.  The book of Proverbs calls out to us as well.  Do we already know it all?  Or are we willing to humble ourselves and listen?