Train up a child

Proverbs 22:6 is pretty clear about training our children in the way he should go!  It even says when he is old he won't depart from it. What we want to do is train them in the way WE want them to go. Then when they are old they won't depart from it. I wish I could say that is exactly what will happen. The problem with that thought is that it is not what God wants for us. He wants us to rear our children in the way HE wants them to go. We like that a lot until they move to Hollywood, Austin or Heaven. What the heck is that all about??  I always prayed for my children to follow The Lord  but what I meant to say was....... But stay close!  So what I find myself doing is wondering how messed up I would've gotten things if they had done what MY heart wanted instead of what God wanted for them?  It would be some kind of serious mess!  

For years, in my early childhood training classes, I've said, "don't worry about the small details in small lives".  Train them to be 23 some day!  "Teach them how to live their lives and live in this world", I have said many times. "The rest will take care of itself mostly". "Teach them how to be with all people, love all people and take care of all people."  

Watching my adult children live their lives this way, makes my day!  I see God's blessings on them. I see how God is working it all out the way He wants it to be regardless of my selfish attitudes about what I want.  I wouldn't have it any other way. I wouldn't have Mikell come back to us and leave the presence of God, taking care of the "little ones" in Heaven. I wouldn't want Matthew and Kasha to come back to us and not fulfill the destiny God has for them in Austin. I wouldn't have Mason leave Hollywood and give up God's promises to him. That would be a serious parenting problem!  

However.... I need a jet!   This 24 hour drive to Los Angeles wears me out!  It's nice to be back home, I miss my children terribly but it's all in God's plan for my life and theirs. Training them up to go God's way- requires years of preparation!  It also requires whole families, school teachers, church workers, friends and communities. I had NO idea what I was getting in to!:). I'd do it again though!  All FOUR of them make me proud!  Mason, Mikell, Matthew and Kasha...... Love God; Love others!  And while your living life- pray for your Dad!  I'm wearing him out!