Spring Training

Well, as I said earlier, the boys are practicing baseball now. It "spring training" time! It takes a lot of practice for these little guys to learn to throw, hit, and learn all the rules of the game.

Lately, I've been thinking of the same bible verse over and over. "Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

I've heard that verse many times, but it is so much more meaningful now that I am the mother of 4 growing boys. Like most moms, I worry about their futures. ( I know, I know, I shouldn't worry...Phil. 4:6!) But let's be honest, I just can't help it. I want them to make good choices, and live their lives in a way that would be pleasing to the Lord. I know it's hard, because I struggle with it everyday.

The word "TRAIN" keeps rolling through my head. Training is hard work, it's not easy. In sports, it's doing the same drills over and over in the hopes of finally doing it right.
Being a Christian isn't easy either, it's something we have to practice every single day. Sometimes getting it right, and sometimes not.

Sometimes I think parents try to take the easy way out of parenting, because "training" is hard. It means that I will not always be the "coolest" mom. It means telling my boys over and over again that they cannot watch "that" movie, even though their friends already have. It's protecting their little eyes from the filth on tv. It's teaching them how to be respectful to adults, always being truthful, and seeking after God.

I've been convicted lately that I'm training my boys in so many good things, but not enough in God's word. I am going to start memorizing a verse a week with the boys, and we are going to post it on the fridge. It will be good for all of us.

This week's verse: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. "
Proverbs 3:5,6

Traci

P.S. I realized after I posted this, that I left out the most important part of Proverbs 22:6...The PROMISE! The Lord tells us that when we "train" our kids in His ways, He is faithful to keep His promise (the second half of the verse)... "and when he is old he will not depart from it." Isn't that a wonderful promise? Isn't that what I worry about? When my kids are old, will they live their lives for the Lord? God tells me if I do my part in training them, He promises that my kids will not depart from it. I'm claiming that one!