Train Up a Child

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." Psalm 22:6 (NKJV)

A typical Tuesday came and went as my children did what they do best, fight, argue, and complain. As I sit back and watch them in action, I ask God if these are even my children. Like maybe they were switched at birth and my little angels are on their best behavior at someone else's home. I know better than to question if they are my kids because my oldest looks exactly like me while the baby is their father's twin. Yeah there is no denying either of them but sometimes their actions concern me.

In my eyes, I spend countless hours educating them on how to act, speak, behave, and respond. I spend even more time praying for them and their futures as strong men of God who have devoted hearts for the Lord and His Kingdom. Daily we pray and read a children's Bible together. I try my best to instruct them of what the Word says about their actions. Even though my children are 2 and 4 years of age, I still believe that they should be able to grasp a bit of what I tell them. Their actions say "mommy we don't care and we aren't listening". This in when this frustrated mama goes to her Father in Heaven and asks for help.

After a long night of praying over my children and asking God to help me be a better mother, I woke up extremely relieved and at peace. I didn't know how my day was going to go but I chose to TRUST Him anyway. I woke up the boys and we jumped right into prayer. After praying the boys each ran downstairs with their Transformers ready to devour their breakfast. Before I could even exit the room, my oldest son screams, "MOM! COME LOOK AT THIS!" My heart drops because I knew it was some kind of bug that I would be too afraid to kill. Yes, ants and spiders creep me out. But back to the matter at hand.

So I ran down the stairs to see what all the fuss was about. Both of my handsome boys were pointing in the direction of their feet as the rays shined through the window from the sun and glistened off of their tiny little legs. "Mommy it's a rainbow", my two year old announced. "Yes Mom, thank you Jesus, praise the Lord!", my four year old began to shout. In this moment I felt like the Lord was giving me a sign but I wasn't sure so my natural instinct was to probe a little further. "Wow it's so beautiful boys. Do you know why the rainbow is so beautiful?", I asked. "Because it means that God will never flood the world again. No matter how hard it rains", my four year old responded. "Yes, no more mean God! He makes pretty rainbows for us", my two old added. In this moment my heart began to smile as I was reminded that my teaching is not in vain and my children really do listen and receive what mommy has to say.

Children of any age can cause their parents to grow weary. My mother would always say that we might have left her lap but we would never leave her heart. Are you struggling with a defiant child? Do your children seem to never grasp what you are telling them? Are your child's actions the exact opposite of what you are teachings? Is your grown child still living in mess and refusing to turn to the cross? If any of you are like me and you get a little nervous about the outcome of your children just STOP and give them to God. Remember that you did or you are currently doing all that you can to train up that child in the way they should go. Pray without ceasing and TRUST what the Bible says about your baby. His word will not return void.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for being the awesome and loving Father that you are. Thank you for creating them and molding them with purpose. We ask that you will speak to their hearts and minds today and may they return to the place that You desire them to be. We ask that Your will will be done in their lives. Thank you for the strength to trust You even when we can't see or understand Your plan.

In Jesus' Name
Amen