The way they should go

Proverbs 22:6 (NLT)
6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

This proverb speaks to parents, guardians and instructors of children about the propagation of wisdom that it might not be left only to past generations. The proverb says to train children in the way they should go, not the way they might be tempted to go. With good impressions left upon them hopefully the child as an adult will follow the wisdom given to them that they may discern and choose the correct paths of life.

There was a family in the San Francisco Bay area that grew up with that kind of commitment [stated in Proverbs 22:6]. The son's name was David Kraft. His father was a pastor, a godly pastor in the South Bay. David Kraft grew up with a father who constantly remembered God's faithfulness in the past so that David might trust in God in all of his tomorrows. David grew up in love with Jesus, and he felt the call of God into the pastoral ministry. He went to Denver Conservative Baptist Seminary. David was a big, athletic young man. At the age of 32, he was six feet two inches tall and weighed two hundred pounds. He worked with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. That dear young man was diagnosed as having cancer. It wracked his body, and, over a period of time, he dropped from two hundred pounds in weight to eighty pounds. When he was about ready to pass from this life into eternity, he asked his father to come into his hospital room. Lying there in the bed, he looked up and said, "Dad, do you remember when I was a little boy, how you used to just hold me in your arms close to your chest?" David's father nodded. Then David said, "Do you think, Dad, you could do that one more time? One last time?" Again his father nodded. He bent down to pick up his 32-year-old six-foot two-inch, eighty-pound son, and held him close to his chest so the son's face was right next to the father's face. They were eyeball to eyeball. Tears were streaming down both faces. The son said simply to the father, "Thank you for building the kind of character into my life that can enable me to face even a moment like this." ["Introducing Christ to Your Child," Preaching Today, Tape No. 92.]

We hope we never have to face what David’s father had to face, but at least he had given his son a gift to face life no matter how harsh it might be. David’s father gave him hope of an eternal life. David’s father had taught David that when he needed his father he would be there to hold and comfort him.

It is comforting to know we have a Father in heaven that passes his wisdom to us. Our Father in Heaven is always available to guide us and show us the right way to go. Our Eternal God is always present with us, comforting us and keeping us close to Him.

Share your love of God with your children. Let them see how you depend upon God. Let them see the wisdom God brings into your life. Let God be a part of your family, providing wisdom so you can train up your child in the way they should go.