Valeria was eight years old and had a curiosity that didn’t fit inside her heart. She was always asking questions. To her mom, to her teacher, to anyone willing to listen. But there was one question no one seemed to answer clearly:
—What is wisdom?
One day, while walking through the park near her house, she saw an old man sitting on a bench. His face looked calm, like someone who was no longer in a hurry. Valeria hesitated for a moment… but her curiosity won.
She walked up to him.
—Excuse me, sir… do you know what wisdom is?
The man smiled, as if he had been waiting for that question for a long time.
—Yes… but it’s not something you can explain quickly —he said—. It’s something you live.
Valeria frowned.
—Then explain it just a little… —she insisted.
The old man pointed at a tree in front of them.
—Do you see that tree? Years ago, it was just a seed. If someone had stepped on it, that would have been the end. But someone took care of it, watered it, and had patience… a lot of patience.
Valeria nodded.
—Wisdom is something like that —he continued—. It’s not just knowing things. It’s learning how to live well, to make the right decisions, even when no one is watching.
The girl thought for a moment.
—And how do you learn that?
The man lifted his eyes slightly toward the sky.
—The Bible says: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” That means when you respect God, when you truly take Him seriously in your life… you start to see everything differently.
Valeria looked down.
—But… I make mistakes sometimes.
The old man let out a soft laugh.
—We all do. The difference is that a wise person learns from their mistakes… a foolish one repeats them.
There was a brief silence.
—Are you wise? —the girl asked sincerely.
The man smiled again, this time with humility.
—I’m learning… every day.
Valeria sat beside him.
—So… can I be wise too?
The old man looked at her kindly.
—Of course. Start with something simple: listen, learn, and seek God in what you do. Wisdom isn’t for the grown-ups… it’s for those who want to learn.
Valeria smiled. She didn’t have all the answers… but something inside her had changed.
That day she understood that wisdom is not about knowing everything… it’s about learning to walk with God in every step.
And as she got up to leave, she turned one last time.
—Thank you… I think I understand a little now.
The old man simply nodded.
—That’s enough to begin.
I’ll leave you with this reflection…
Wisdom doesn’t come all at once, nor from age, nor from how much you know. It comes when you choose to walk with God, to listen, to learn, and to change.
I invite you to join me in this prayer:
Lord, teach me to live with wisdom. Help me make good decisions, learn from my mistakes, and seek You at all times. Guide my life, even in the small things, so that every step I take has meaning. In the name of Jesus, amen.
At Somos Cristianos, we connect hearts with Christ.
