Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6
One of our NHW mothers describes her thoughts as she prepares to send her twins away to college:
My twins are off to college this fall - one will be going to the mainland, the other will be staying here in the islands. One will be farther away, but both are “leaving” to begin a new phase in their life.
Although my children are twins, they are very different. My son is technical, analytical, does well in math and science, and is thinking of a career in engineering or medicine. My daughter is creative and loves to express her creativity through the mediums of photography and jewelry making. She is also good with children and will likely major in education.
Of course, the abilities and preferences they have were not taught by me; it is how God designed them. I did, however, teach them about the Lord. In fact, part of the job description of a Christian parent includes having your children attend church with you, giving them a Christian education, doing devotions or praying with them, involving them with serving in a ministry, or setting a Godly example for them by the way you live your life. All of this contributes to training them in the way they should go.
Teaching our children about the Lord is one of the toughest assignments we have as parents, especially today with so many outside influences. The media, internet, and their peers are some of those influences that often send them messages that it’s all about getting what they want and meeting their own needs and desires. It’s not about God or His plans for their lives. Coupled with the fact that children, especially teenagers, are inclined to rebel, makes our job that much tougher.
According to Proverbs 22:6, we are to train our children in the ways of the Lord and steer them in the right direction, and hopefully when they get older they will not stray. It means that our hope should lie in our Lord which leads us to trust Him more and more. Ultimately, we need to leave the outcome of our children’s lives in God’s hands.
Yes, my children are “leaving” and I need to let them go, but I am trusting that the seeds planted in them will continue to grow and lead them to a personal relationship with our Lord.
