Do You Want Some Cheese with That?
http://www.biblestudytools.com/proverbs/31.html
“You drink too much,” I told them. At 16, it was one of the boldest things I ever said to my parents. 
“We’re not drunks!” one of them retorted.
“How many of my friends’ parents have a refrigerator for a keg in their basement? NONE. You drink every night. A lot. Both of you,” I responded.
They looked at each other. “I’m not an alcoholic,” said my dad.
“I didn’t say you were. I just said you drink too much. Six beers a night, every night, is too many,” I replied.
And that was all it took.
They stopped drinking so much, but kept the frequency. Six beers Sunday through Thursday became two. Friday and Saturday’s excesses diminished as well. Before this abrupt change, I had never known if my parents were intoxicated because they managed to behave fairly well. However, I do remember noticing after a while, that they seemed to have more patience with me and each other.
There’s a section in Proverbs 31 that gets glossed over in lieu of our attention focusing on The Proverbs 31 Woman. It’s a section that speaks loudly to those of us that consume alcohol, and in true Biblical form, causes us to question what we want and what we’re accomplishing with our behavior, but it’s done gently.
Dare you to read Proverbs 31:4-9 today, and hear from Him on the matter.
Double-dog-dare you to click on “Subscribe” above or share with a friend. J
For what it’s worth, I don’t consider myself a big drinker, but have been known to consume wine or beer on occasion. From what I read in Scripture, celebrations are the main place to moderately consume alcohol. What I also know from my personal experience is that I can’t hear the Lord as clearly if I’ve had a glass or two of wine.
The absence of His presence and voice is awful.
Anyway, I’m thankful to be on the journey with you. Hope I don’t lose any readers because I said aloud that I consume alcohol. J
Love to you,
~Nina
Heck no! I’m still here. Great stuff, as usual.
“What I also know from my personal experience is that I can’t hear the Lord as clearly if I’ve had a glass or two of wine. The absence of His presence and voice is awful.”
– This is the most concise, clear, honest rationale for limiting drinking that I’ve EVER read. It really resonates with me. Thank you.
Thanks for keeping it real! This Christian non-drinker respects your transparency and honesty! I’m still reading- you haven’t run me off! I learn something every time you share! Keep blogging!
Tammy, that was excellent. I have been judged by other Christians because every once in a while I might have a glass of wine or a (gasp!) Captain and Coke. I do not wish to tell you what i did before I was a Christian! 😉 But my 13 year old son is absolutely devastated if he sees me have a drink. i do not know why his tender heart reacts like that but in spite of friends scoffing at that “tell him to lighten up”. “he needs counseling or something”, I take it as a way to show him that mom cares more about hurting him than tasting wine, so i refrain from drinking. i get judged (by my Christian and non-Christian friends) for that but it has gone a long way in connecting with my son. Neither of my parents drank much at all, but there is a history of alcoholism in both my husband’s and my family, so i am very careful to keep an eye on it. Nina, i love your transparency.
Hey Anon,
I totally get where you are coming from and if I were in your shoes, I would do the same thing. My actions would be very different if they were having a very difficult time with it. The benefits will be exponetial for your relationship with your son. Nothing is worth messing that up. Kudos on wise parenting! 🙂
For years and years I avoided any, and I do mean any alcohol at all. I grew up in a home where both adults in the home were alcoholics. I drank a few wine coolers as a teen, and my husband would drink beer when we first married. But when we started having children, I wouldn’t touch a drop. I think it was in fear that I would be like my mother. Then, my husband and I both got saved, and I just thought ALL alcohol was bad for my witness. If I were a child of the Lord, I would never, ever drink another drop. And for 15 years after my salvation, I didn’t touch it, had no desire for it. But after many, many circumstances happened…some of which was a fatal, sudden heart attack that happened to my mother, my health in some areas was starting to change (perimenopause, not sleeping as easily as I used to, some nerve ending issues, etc.) and just a general feeling that, not all alcohol was against the rules. I started to try a glass of red wine in the evening, after all I had to do for the day was done. I wanted to antioxidant benefits for my heart, and it helps me sleep much better, and it also helps with the nerve issues. I have made it clear to my children (aged 22, 20 & 10) that I am of legal age, I am not driving, I am not hiding or sneaking it, and it is 1 glass three or four evenings aweek. So, all that to say this– Thanks for stating publically that (in my words, not yours) drinking a glass of wine doesn’t negate your salvation at all, and you aren’t condemned to hell because of it. 🙂