“As a Mom, I'm Encouraged By Proverbs 22:6”
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Brenda writes:
This has always been an encouragement to me as a mother.
I have always tried my best to be a Christian example to my family. I’m sure I have failed many times, but hopefully my children have learned the basics of living a Christian life, and hopefully they’ll impart that into their own families.
I have prayed for my children since the day they were conceived and continue to pray daily for them.
I am blessed to have children who love Jesus and thank God for His faithfulness in our lives. I am grateful for my own Christian mother and pray she receives many blessings for her sacrifices and love for her family.
Being a mother brings heartache at times, but the joys far outweigh the sorrows.
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on June 9th, 2008 and filed under Praise, Your Stories, Christian Families, Mentoring, Life Verse.
June 9th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Dear Brenda:
Your story is literally my ‘cup of tea’ this afternoon.
Being blessed with ten children of five boys and five girls, I affirm your Biblical quotation literally and wholeheartedly.
“Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; But the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.”(Matthew 12:15).
In my era when “Spare the rod and spoil the child,” I surely had had a few times of the rod (Chinese feather duster stick) by my mother when I failed in primary school.”
I continued to be a failure despite the hurts and pains from the ‘rod’.
It was, however, the Christian faith, understanding love and earnest hope for me to be a good student, and thus a worthy member of society and a child of God by my fourth grade teacher and later Godmother in Hong Kong, that turned me 180 degrees to eventually become an Invy Leaguer.
A child’s mind in like a ‘tabula rasa’. Each child has his own tenor of way, the individual character, and the path specially fitted for the individual’s character.
Jesus knows too well the innate goodness and pure innocence of God His Father’s Creation. He reminds us repeatedly, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for he is the least among you, this is the one who is great.” (Luke 9:48)
“Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all”(Mark 10:15).
“No Cross, no Crown.” Your joys over your children will be overwhelming, and for generations to come.
I am reminded nonetheless: “…do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”(Ephesians 6:4).
Thank you.
May GOD ALL MIGHTY Bless you and your precious family;
GODSPEED, always and forevermore!
Mary Sun.