They Will Not Depart!

Prov.22:6  Train up a child in the way they should go and when they get old they will not depart from it

This is one of the most popular verses about raising a child.  Wow, what a wonderful promise.  Our job as parents is to raise them up.  By the power of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God, prayerfully we know the way that is right for them.  Besides recognizing their unique gifts and talents, it is our responsibility to teach them the Word of God and be a living example of the principles and instructions in the Word.  Now, I know we all fall short of the Glory of God.  None of us are perfect and that’s exactly why we need Jesus!  The other day my eleven year old daughter came home from school with something she couldn’t wait to share with me.  There was a girl at her school that confided in her and her other Christian friend about some sexual identity issues.  My daughter and her friend saw this as an opportunity to show God’s love.  They ministered to her about God having a purpose for her life and why girls at their age are not ready for any kind of dating.  They were able to pray for her and speak truth into her life.  What a proud mommy moment.  I know she hasn’t arrived (I haven’t either).  She has a lot more growing up to do, but what a blessing to know that she wants to share God’s love to the lost.  This was the first year my older children attended public school.  They have been in a Christian school all their lives and I had many reservations.  In Christian school, though she formed her foundation, God became familiar to her.   She didn’t minister to others because they all had the same beliefs.  Now she has an opportunity to be a light in a dark place.  I thank God she has found a friend with the same faith and they were bold enough to address such a controversial issue. 

 Father, we thank you for our children and that you have trust in us to raise them according to Your Word.  Help us to lead by example and be a light in dark places.  Help us to stay encouraged when they seem to fall short because we know that your Word says that they will not depart from the way we train them up.  Let your hand stay upon them and keep them from evil.  Let your blood protect them and the angels of the Lord encamp around them.  Guard their gates from impurities and perversion and keep them innocent and pure in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!