Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Train Up a Child

Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6

As we raise our children they are reliant for us on several things. Food is a biggie. They start out on formula or breastmilk, both of which have to be fed to them by us. Then they get to start cereal and other baby foods, both still require our help. As they continue to grow they become more able to feed themselves, but we still control what they are getting. We as mothers know that they need to have balance and what foods are good for them. Throughout their childhood we will continue to help them with their food. Although the responsibilities will ease up, even at 17 we will still be making at least some of those decisions for them.


Even more important is that we are Training up our Children to know our God. It starts as they are new babies and we bring them to baptism, to church, singing songs to them, and praying for them. As they become toddlers it gets more interactive and we are able to see those little brains processing Jesus and what he means in their life. We are given no greater or more important responsibility than to raise up these little ones in Christ.


That is no easy task. Trying to sit thru church with a toddler is often exhausting. Finding tuition money to put our chidlren in a Christian school can be a challenge. Making time for family devotions after a chaotic dinner can seem impossible. Sitting down and holding your child tight while you pray with them, when all you want to do is have your own time, can make you want to rush.


But it also leaves us with great joys! Is there anything better than hearing a little child sing at the top of their lungs at church; or have your child come home and share something faith related that they learned that day? Watching them take in a Bible story and enjoy it. Or hearing them request to go to Church and Sunday School. To see your children soaking up Jesus is amazing!


God works in these little lives just as much as he works in ours! That is the purpose of this new devotional blog: To encourage you as a mother as you go about the most important of all your daily jobs: the Training Up your of Child. Each weekday one of us will share a devotion with you and every once in awhile we'll throw in some ideas for you about how we do things in our families. We look forward to our daily visits as we all strive to Grow HIS Kids!


Heavenly Father,
Through your words and your son you have provided us with examples and guidance to help us as we navigate parenthood. Please lead us as we interact with our children today. Help our words to be ones of encouragement, love, and faithfulness; words that will help our children be drawn closer to you. We thank you for giving us each of these precious children.
Amen

1 comment:

  1. I am very excited to see such a Christian ministry on the most precious gift God has given into our care, our children, HIS children. I eagerly look forward to each new posting. May God bless your efforts, your words, and His message.
    Blessings, Mer

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking time to join us today at Growing HIS Kids!