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

Training Is Important!

Train(ing):  to teach so as to make fit or qualified.

Training is important to accomplish most anything in life. Usually, training begins at home.  When you are very young, it’s extremely important that you get potty trained and learn how to eat, walk and talk. Then you go on to school where you are trained how to respond and respect others, as well as learn the various subjects taught in order to pass the class and go onto the next grade. In high school, there are academic classes, as well as elective classes you choose, that teach you a life skill you are interested in, possibly for a job. Next is college or a specific trade school, where you definitely get the training in the chosen life skill that will become your career upon graduation. I am so grateful that I was able to go to Cosmetology School many years ago, and received training to become a California Licensed Cosmetologist (hair stylist, manicurist, and skin care). I also am grateful that I had many clerical jobs where I received “on the job” training, especially learning various computer programs used in the office. I am so glad I was teachable, as I once heard the saying, “To be unteachable is to be unreachable.”

But the most important training in life is the biblical “life” training a child receives from his or her parents. It is the parents’ responsibility to provide their child with this biblical training as God has entrusted children to parents for correct upbringing. My dear mother used to say, “You kids are on loan from God to your Dad and I, to love you and bring you up in the correct way,” and that “we were jewels in her safekeeping.” I started my biblical training at about four years old, not always exhibiting behavior of being all that happy about being dropped off at the designated church classroom, watching my parents walk away. But over the years, it was very important to attend church as a family, along with Sunday School, VBS, and Bible Study to learn God’s Word and apply it to daily living.

When I moved out of the house as an adult, sadly, I decided I didn’t feel the need to attend church and rarely did. I wanted to do my own thing my own way, and have my own schedule of activities. My decision made my parents very sad and even anxious, but they knew the power of prayer and they prayed constantly for my protection and return to live for Jesus. I was definitely the “prodigal daughter.” I only wish it didn’t take 19 years for me to return to my roots of “train up a child in the way he/she should go.” But I did return, after some horrific and challenging life situations that could have been avoided by choosing to live for God, and knowing, in my heart, what was the right way to live, and remembering my upbringing from my faithful, wonderful parents.

As I now meet parents bringing their children to church and kids’ Sunday School classes, I am so happy they know how important this is. And when anxious parents have shared with me their adult child’s decision to forsake anything to do with church and their faith, I share my story of my faithful parents who never wavered in training me, and their many prayers for my return to live for the Lord, and then my decision to do so. I will always be so grateful for my loving, believing parents, and God’s prompting me back to Him.

Thank You, O Lord, for my wonderful, godly upbringing and parents, and calling me back to You when I strayed. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.