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

I have been blessed with four beautiful children. I don’t mean good looking, though they are all cute as a button, but I mean nice little people. I have three boys and one girl, and although there may be similarities between one and another they are all extremely unique. Like many parents I have dreams and goals for my children that may not manifest themselves. I’ve already got it all figured out. Jeremiah will teach, Noah will preach and be the Minister of Music, McKayla will be the worship leader and be over the arts ministry, Elijah will rock the Hammond organ and handle the education department. See I’ve got it all figured out, and I didn’t even pray about it.

Oh Oh! Wait a minute! I hear the voices of blogging saints (Free Spirit Stacye, Shanita) asking the same question.

IS HE CRAZY?!?!

Yes I am but not in this instant. I know that if I’m not careful I’ll let my will for my children override the will of God for their life. I have to face the facts. I may actually have to settle for children that are just saved, sanctified, filled with the Holy Spirit, and the Love of Jesus. I may have to allow the oldest to become a veterinarian, and Noah to be a police officer, and McKayla to be a Dr., and the 3 year old to be 4 four years old.

I also realize that one child’s strength is another child’s weakness. I mean let’s face it, they can’t all have my dancing skills and a physique like mine doesn’t get made in a day. (Ok some would say a day in the kitchen is all it takes). One of my children is Veerrrrryyy nice. The other is getting better. The other two are about right in the middle. One child (yes the girl) loves school, and at this point the baby does also. The other two, like the opportunity to meet new friends at school, but not school itself. One would spend all day in front of the TV, the other outside, the other drawing, and the other running from one to the other.

There are some things that are absolutes in SLC’s house. You go to church. You pray. You do your best educationally. You treat your parents and siblings correctly or you get corrected. You respect elders but if you feel like any have crossed the threshold of respect remember that there is an open (and honest) door policy and you let me know and I’ll deal with them. When your parents are not around, remember God is and he tells us when you’ve been acting a fool. Besides these and a few more we have to remember to train each one up in the way God has determined each one should go so that when they become adults they’ll be fulfilled and in the place God want’s them to be.

My Prayer: Lord, you know I want my children to grow up, get rich, pay off my house, buy me a second house in Florida, be famous, be president, vice president, secretary of state, and attorney general, while running a World Wide Ministry, but if for some reason that is not your will, help me train them up and discern properly with the aid of the Holy Spirit the different needs they each have of me their earthly father, and you their heavenly father, and help me lead them accordingly.

Amen