Training a Child…

 

Farewell Concert given by the youth choir at our church, including Grandsons Nate and Elliot

During a recent shopping trip, I impulsively bought a box of stationery without carefully looking at the drawing on the front. Later, when I opened the box and took out a card, the drawing had me mystified. It appeared to be a gray bird with a white head, standing on top of a flower bouquet, in front of a large brown and white oval.  

After more scrutiny, I happened to turn the card around and realized that I had been looking at it upside down! The bouquet looked right; however, now the bird was standing on its head! A tan and white cat with long black whiskers, small brown ears, black eyes and a fluffy tail peered out between the flowers in the bouquet—the mysterious oval!

What seemed to be a bird was in reality a gray vase containing the arrangement of four flowers! My brain however, wasn’t quite convinced! I still saw the upside-down bird! If I had held the card the right way from the beginning, the drawing would have made more sense. I felt silly, like a little child who needed her parent’s advice to turn the picture right side up!

What an important role parents have in caring for, nurturing, loving and training their children so that they will grow “in wisdom, stature and favor with God and men!” (Luke 2:52b NIV) My family was blessed with a mother and father who were wonderful role models for us. They were intentional about teaching us strong values, making sure that we went to church and Sunday School regularly, and showing us through example how to live in a good and right way.

The important role of parents and caregivers in the spiritual formation of children was apparent in Vacation Bible School, which was held by our church in the middle of June. Including children, youth helpers and adult volunteers, over 400 people participated!

How exciting that over the span of a week the children learned about God—that He has created them, knows them, loves them, and is with them always. For many, it was a first introduction to God; for some, an opportunity to grow in their understanding of Him; and for all, a chance to experience His love in powerful and unique ways. The adults responsible for their children attending VBS, some of whom were also volunteers, are to be commended.

Our two youngest grandsons, Nate and Elliot not only attended Sunday School and VBS, they have participated in the wonderful music program the church has established from their primary school years to the present. This week they embarked on an eleven-day cathedral tour in London with the youth choir, singing in six churches and sight-seeing at Downton Abbey, among other places.

What an amazing opportunity for Nate and Elliot to continue to grow in their faith as they share their gift of music with others! Many thanks to the support and encouragement of their father, the music director and the church family for making it possible!

Another individual who has taken the responsibility of leading and guiding her children seriously is our pastor’s mother, Fannia Boayue, who is from Liberia. Al and I recently attended Fannia’s 90^th birthday party, during which many of her sons, daughters, grandchildren, nephews and nieces gave tribute to the wonderful inspiration she has been to them.

Fannia’s faithful prayers, devotion to the Lord and expectation for each of her beloved family members to excel have made a tremendous impact upon their lives, inspiring them to live up to her expectations.  They were, and are, grateful!

 I too am grateful for my parents, and for all who have had a part in helping children gain a better understanding of who God is, an understanding that leads to a personal, lifelong relationship with Him through faith in Christ, an understanding that brings fulfillment—now, and forever. 

            Praise be to God!

 “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6 NIV)

 “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (I Corinthians 13:11-12 NIV)

          Grandsons Elliot (15) in second row on left, Nate (17) next to him, in middle.

Cat card, right side up!

Cat card, upside down!