Train up a Child in the Way He Should Go

"Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him." (Ps. 127:3)
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Prov. 22:6)

"...bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." (Eph. 6:4)

"...be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." (Deut. 4:9)

"Grandchildren are the crown of grandparents, and parents are the glory of their children." (Prov. 17:6)





It was just a few short months ago that our families stood up in front of our church and were given charge to help in the raising of these beautiful children in the ways of the Lord.  I am certain that none of us thought the magnitude of the responsibility given that day would come so soon!  It would be easy to sit back and assume that someone else is going to take that responsibility, or to forget the spiritual side altogether in the efforts of trying to meet their everyday needs.

I remind myself of this charge, and I pray for God to continually direct us by His Spirit, and give us the wisdom and strength to do what is right concerning HIS children.  At some point, we have to release our children to God and to His sovereignty. We don’t know how they will turn out, and we can't live their lives for them. These children will do what they choose to do and live their lives by their choices like all of us have done. God has only given us one life to live and to give an account for, and that is our own. But, we can help guide them. We can keep pursuing  their hearts, working to keep the 

relational fires glowing and warm; and that is the charge I give - to ALL of us!

(Excerpts taken from Dennis Williams – The Navigators U.S. Metro Ministries Detroit 
April 2007)

It is only a tiny rosebud, a flower of God’s design.
But I cannot unfold the petals with these clumsy hands of mine.

And the secret of unfolding flowers is not known to such as I.
God opens this flower so sweetly, when in my hands it dies.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud, this flower of God’s design,
Then how can I have the wisdom to unfold this life of mine?
So I’ll trust in Him for leading each moment of my day.
I will look to Him for His guidance each step of the pilgrim way.
The pathway that lies before me, only my Heavenly Father knows.
I’ll trust Him to unfold the moments, just as He unfolds the rose.
- – - written by Darryl L. Brown