Training Up a Child in the Way

A new school year starting already? I realized it when, yesterday, my godson’s mom sent me a photo of him all suited up for his first day as a high school senior! Oh my goodness! This summer flew by! My two youngest grands start next week with Brennan as a high school senior too! A new school year means many opportunities for parents AND their children to start this new school year strong!

We were young parents who realized God had given us a great responsibility to cultivate the gifts that were in our children. We were praying parents who sought the Lord earnestly concerning His plans for their lives. In time, He revealed our children’s natural abilities to us.

Ryan was a natural born salesman — winning all kinds of awards for top sales in Cub Scout Scout-A-Rama tickets and other school fundraisers. We were his accomplices when we drove him door to door to give his sales pitch. I was his bookkeeper.

Our daughter’s abilities to communicate in song and word was enabled by her dad and I who continued to do whatever we could to open opportunity doors for her. When she was very young, she’d sing little songs on stage at our church and her school. She was in school musicals and the choir. At 12, she started winning talent competitions, landed TV shows and commercials. Our son gravitated to sales and entrepreneurship where he thrived. They are both in those areas of life today.

We were taking our cues from scripture. Proverbs 22:6 gives specific instructions on developing the God-given potential embedded in every child. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” I believe that verse is meant to assure their life grows in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52)

Doing our part in raising and training our children, assures us, wherever they are and whatever they’re doing in their future, they’ll never depart from God’s ways. We can trust that God will always reel them back into His presence.

Parents are responsible for investing in their children the love, guidance and structure that can one day produce a life fully committed to the Lord in all they do. As we lead them “in the way they should go” — according to their unique personalities and natural giftings — they will live fulfilling lives.

Eunice, the mother of Timothy, the apostle Paul’s prodigy was notorious for her godly influence on Timothy. She created an ironclad commitment that would seal his faith in Christ. Paul encouraged Timothy to duplicate: “the genuine faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and that I am persuaded lives in you also.” (2 Timothy 1:5). Here are ways we can ensure our kiddos are being led in the ways they should go:

~ Pray with your children daily.

~ Demonstrate unconditional love, regardless of their failures or successes.

~ Shun performance-based acceptance and avoid forcing your unfulfilled dreams on them.

~ Spend quality time imparting character-building traits that will stand against the toughest temptation.

~ Talk with your kids about their day at school, their homework and their future goals or aspirations.

~ Find opportunities to hone your child’s natural abilities. I promise you – they have those – painter, writer, talker/speaker, leader, singer, musician, etc.

Moms, Dads, Guardians, Grandparents — may you be guided by the hand of God this year as you help navigate the waters for your precious treasures!

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