Teach them to Love!

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Our little granddaughter, Emma, was tucking in her dolly the other night. She had the pacifier, the blanket, and the bottle. Everything was perfect! As I looked at her,  I thought she was just standing over the edge of the doll bed looking at her baby. It was then that I felt a tug at my heart as I noticed her little hands folded. She was praying with her baby doll. Precious? Yes! The delight of a grandma's heart? Yes! But more importantly, I know that Emma's heavenly father was delighted beyond all words. At 22 months, this little one is learning behaviors and attitudes that will be with her throughout her entire life. She may wander, face various trials, and miss the mark at times in her life, but she is being taught the way of the Lord. These things will always be in her heart and mind and are tools by which God will call her unto himself. 

When we are raising our own children the demands of life can overwhelm us. We can easily get distracted and forget that our children really aren't ours, but rather they are a gift entrusted to us by God. They are created for his glory, and we are to raise them to know, honor, and obey Him.  

I'm seeing now from a grandma's perspective the value and absolute importance of training our children to walk in relationship to the Lord. Scripture tells us to talk to our children about God, to raise them to love and obey Him. It begins with our own walk with Jesus. We need to talk about who God is and his ultimate love and sacrifice for us. We need to share the lessons we've learned as well as the joy and peace our savior gives us. It is our privilege to introduce these children and grandchildren to their heavenly father. 

Pray for and pray with your children. I know life gets busy and times can be frustrating, but when something has to be taken off your plate, don't let it be your own relationship with Jesus or the conversations about your God! 

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 

                                                                                                              Deut. 11:19

Children's children are a crown to the aged

                                                       Prov. 17:6

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. 

                                                                                Ps 127:3