Training for anything is not an easy task. It requires patience, endurance, foresight, and lots of coffee! We spend our time, energy and resources on training for competitions of all sorts. We know that if we just drink the yucky protein shake along with 30 minutes a day of physical activity, we will begin to see results. Sure, some of us see it slower than others but if we keep at it our training will pay off.
We often miss this truth when it comes to our children. Proverbs 22:6 reminds us to "Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." As a mother I can rest in the fact that this verse of scripture is not just a command, but a command with a promise!
That is so important to me. As a Christian I want to know what the Lord expects out of me. As a Christian mother I tend to be a little bit more needy. Trusting God with the promise of Heaven requires Faith. Why do we neglect His commands and promises when rearing our children? This promise of God follows a command. It is a command to train!
Early training will instill lifelong habits that parents must insist upon. We must "fight the good fight" of Faith for our children when they are babes so that when they are older they can fight it.
When weariness rears it's ugly head than it is time for a break. It's time to beg your buddy for some girl friend time. Training our children when they are young means we are being trained with them. You will get tired. You will want to throw in the white towel of surrender. When this starts to happen remember the promise! Use your imagination to see into your childs future. If it makes you smile when you see the Lord blessing your efforts and his or her obedience, then keep on keeping on!
