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

Mothers innately want what we think is best for our children. We dream about the days when our children are grown and envision a legacy. A legacy of faith. Dreaming, we exclude the trials, the suffering, and the challenges that life may bring; that God allows. Optimistic and hopeful, we cuddle our little ones and imagine only good for their life.  We need to prepare them for reality though.  To prepare our children for a lifetime on earth, to equip them with the tools to not just survive, but to engage everyday purposefully living to fulfill a higher calling, to be an ambassador of Christ, takes intentionality.

To train literally means “to develop or form the habits, thoughts, or behavior of (a child) by discipline and instruction.”

We need to be intentionally training their hearts, their minds, their souls through daily disciplines and teaching.  Faith is not just taught, it’s caught.  We need to strive for the disciplines, the habits, the thoughts, and behaviors ourselves and engage our children humbly letting them walk beside us so that the way will be caught. If we live our own lives intentionally, and we walk what we talk, with them witnessing it first hand; and if we engage our children in discussion and teaching their minds; if we intentionally share our relationship with Christ with them and they see us living for Him because we love Him; then we can rest in this promise of God.  Stay Faithful, Be Intentional, Engage Your Children and you will witness them thrive in the way.