Train up a Child

Living in the country, we have a gravel driveway, which makes it easy to hear when people go in and out.  Back in the 90s, when my kids were teenagers, come late evening I would listen for the sound of rocks crunching under the tires.  At that point, I would thank God, knowing that my precious children were safely home.  As parents, the well being of our children, of any age, is of utmost importance.  Following that line of thought, are your children safely home, spiritually speaking?  As a Christian, my desire is to know, without a doubt, that my family members are saved, living an abundant life,  and in a maturing relationship with God.  How do we accomplish such a task?  Certainly we can’t achieve it alone, all we can do is till the soil, plant the seed and wait for God to harvest the crop.  The Old Testament gives us “gardening tips” by saying,  “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6. And further about teaching scripture, or in this case the Ten Commandments, ‘Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” Deut. 6:7.  How are you doing so far?  It’s apparent that we must be the examples verbally and nonverbally.  Our lives should be so full of enthusiasm and love for God and his kingdom, that it spills over into the lives of our loved ones, and those around us.  So keep representing Christ with your hearts and minds open, and keep listening for the crunching rocks!