August 27

Good morning!

What a beautiful day the Lord has made! As I read the daily reading today in Job & 2 Corinthians, Psalms & Proverbs, of course my attention was drawn to the last verse of the day Proverbs 22:6. As a mom and children's minister, training children is my passion. Proverbs 22:6 - train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Train in the dictionary says to direct the growth of (a plant) usually by bending, pruning, & tying. I thought it was interesting that the webster's dictionary applied the word to a plant in this case. I started to disregard that definition or at least the word plant when I realized something. Our kids are like tender plants, and it's our job as Moms and Dads and Teachers to train them to become mighty trees for His Kingdom so to speak.

The Amphlified said to train up a child in keeping w/his natural bent. Our children DO have a natural bent which could be anything from a weak state where a child easily does whatever anyone and everyone instructs him or the exact opposite a strong willful child who refuses to do what anyone says. Our children have a natural bent. We have to know what that is. But we don't just say that's the way he/she is and go with it. Training a plant to bend in the "right" direction means pruning and tying...both uncomfortable things for the plant and for the pruner. It's our job to rebend and prune our children in God's direction. My oldest has her Mommy's strong will. As a Mom, I'm not supposed to just understand that she has a strong will and let her continue on in her rebelliousness. My instruction here as her parent is to train her, prune her, take her strong bending and point her to obedience in Christ. She will always be strong, but I can
teach her and train her to be obedient to her authorities and obedient to Christ.

And honestly, after 12 long years of parenting her, it's still a day by day process of training and pruning and bending. God's Word is faithful, and He will watch over it to accomplish that which He set out to do. Take heart as you train your children today to be the mighty children of God, the mighty oaks, for His Kingdom! And if you are done raising your children rest in God's Word and stand on it that those seeds of faith and godliness that you planted in your children will reap a mighty harvest one day.

Have a wonderful weekend! See you tomorrow.

Blessings,
Rolanda