Train Up A Child In The Way He Should Go…

While I am sure every Christian parent in the world is familiar with Proverbs 22:6, I also know some doubt just how accurate this statement is. After all, some children go astray of the path they were trained to follow, they break their faithful parents’ hearts, and may end up just doing the opposite of what they were taught.

I know that. You may say I am the least qualified to speak on this subject, since my children are 10 and under, and you may argue that they have no choice than to follow the path I have laid out for them. And if I tell you I honor their ability – and right – to choose, you then may say to wait a few more years before I claim my victory… especially during those teenage years that make the terrible-twos seem not so terrible.

The truth is, I have been that terrible child that wanted to do what my mom told me not to and wanted to ignore what she said I should do. And sometimes I did. And sometimes I didn’t. And after successes, and failures galore, I figured out the difference… all by myself.

With that in mind, let’s read Proverbs 22:6 on the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible:

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and WHEN HE IS OLD he will not depart from it.”

The last thing I want to do is call myself old, but notice my emphasis. My daughter Elyssa said to me yesterday “you’re not young, you’re intermediate”…I’ll use that. And I’ll admit that now that I am intermediate, I have returned to the path I was trained to follow and I have faith that my children will do the same if or when they are ever lost.

Like with every commandment, principle, or covenant we make with God, the promise is only guaranteed when we do our part. Where my mom was a star trainer, she is reaping the rewards, and where she lacked wisdom, time, or resources, she is still making up for. So am I. And so is every parent that has read Proverbs 22:6 – and IMHO so are the ones who haven’t yet read it.

Does that mean that if your child is not on the path you have done everything wrong or God has forgotten His promise? No way! Have faith and read the verse again…and think of the emphasis. The promise is fulfilled when our child is old, all grown up, and mature. Don’t be discouraged by a few -or many- wrong turns. If you are faithful, so is God.

What is training up a child anyway?

To train means to teach a particular skill or type of behavior through practice and instruction over a period of time. It is synonym of educate, teach, school, drill, exercise, and coach. 

Besides a regular mommy trainer, I am my daughters’ school teacher at home. Even though I recognize my shortcomings and weaknesses, my faith in this promise keeps me excited – and sane.

It’s so reassuring that I don’t have to know everything or even do everything, and that as long as I patiently and consistently do my part to train them and show them the path, they can be empowered to make their own choices… and to get back on track when these weren’t the best for them.

Joyful training!

[ela]