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Train Up a Child in the Way (S)He Should Go?

When Proverbs instructs parents to train up their children in the way they should go, we of course know it is speaking primarily in spiritual terms. Without the "One Thing" in life, none of the "Other Things" in life really matter. That "One Thing" being knowing Jesus and making Him known.

In regards to training my daughter's to be keepers at home, I use this verse to spur me on as I flesh out that training. Sometimes it's much easier to just do the work myself; other times I'm simply so busy with academics and life in general that I fail to plan out how I will implement the training of my daughters. And as all homeschool moms know first hand, what we fail to plan almost always fails to happen. So I'm currently working on being a more active planner!!

Today, for instance, isn't just about Saturday chores. It's about the bigger picture ~ one day each of my 4 daughter's will be running a household of their own, Lord willing (see James 4:13-14). Rather than just having Saturday-chores-as-usual, we are learning how to manage homes in preparation for the future. Sure, it takes more work on my part, but isn't this the work He has called me to? What better use of my time could there be than working as unto the Lord in training up my daughter's in the way they should go, and honoring my husband and his wishes for our girls in the process?

I'm going to thoroughly enjoy my Saturday as I focus on the Lord and enjoy the blessing and responsibility of training up 4 young ladies to be fit for service in the Kingdom of God. Oh, and don't worry...I haven't forgotten my son! He has already been busy this morning checking the pressure on all my tires and using the air compressor to fill them to pressurize them correctly. After he finishes coaching Learn to Skate at the ice rink this morning, he will come home to do his household chore for today, study for his SAT II subject tests, and swap out the water in his '79 Camaro's radiator for 1/2 water, 1/2 anti-freeze. My husband may even have some additional "Manly Training" for him this weekend ~ and next week he turns 18, so I guess he ought to be fully trained in manliness by now, right?!

Lord bless your Saturday!

Day 53 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.homeschoolingmothersbiblestudy.com

Comments

  1. 3G=Growing Godly GirlzNovember 13, 2010 at 8:04 PM

    What an awesome post!! Thank you!! As the mother of 3 girls(4y, 2y and 5 mos), I often find it impossible to keep up, but your encouragement certainly helps me to stay focused on Christ and what he wants for us and our girls!
    Blessings,
    Aria
    http://growing3godlygirlz.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownNovember 15, 2010 at 3:04 PM

    Thanks so much for your kind words - what a blessing!! Raising daughters is such a joy and delight, I'm so happy you get to experience it. Lord bless you richly and thanks again for your comment; it really brightened my day :)
    Jan

    ReplyDelete
  3. JanetteNovember 17, 2010 at 10:10 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. JanetteNovember 17, 2010 at 10:13 AM

    Wow Jan -- thanks so much for this post! It hit me like a ton of bricks...even though I have boys. I VERY VERY OFTEN (more than I should admit) take the "it's just faster for me to do it myself" approach when it comes to household chores. I'm so crazy about the clothes hanging in the closet, I find myself frustrated because I'm so far behind rather than have my almost 11 and 9 year old sons do their own clothes -- cutting my workload in half instantly! They are PLENTY old enough to do that...but I just do it because it's "faster" than teaching them the way I wish it to be done. I used to be this way with towels being folded too...however, I have gotten over that and I do get help with folding and putting away towels. I need to give up the control about the closets and decide it doesn't matter if all the hangers are facing the same way - or if all of the short sleeved shirts are with the long sleeved shirts...and all of the pants are together on one bar, etc. Right? That doesn't really matter, does it? LOL. I'm going to try to let go right NOW after reading your post...I NEED to do that for their BEST INTEREST! I have not done them any favors by letting them off the hook so to speak! I've kind of always realized that, but your post hit home so much that made me gasp...realizing it's true -- mom can't come to their apartment, dorm, house, etc once they move out and hang up their clothes. HELLO??? Hahaha!!!

    Love you...love your blog....love your encouragment -- even when I am behind in reading it!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownNovember 19, 2010 at 2:06 PM

    Aww, thanks so much Janette!
    You seriously are like an adreneline shot with 12 caffeine patches to me, LOL!!
    Love ya tons & am so thankful for your friendship!!

    ReplyDelete

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