Train Up A Child

My daughter sent me a picture.
It made me smile on a quarantine day when I needed a smile.
I smiled because I understood.
Training a child is an ongoing process.

My oldest granddaughter will be two-years-old next month.
She just became a big sister.
Her little sister was born a few days ago.
We are all rejoicing.

My granddaughter’s baby doll goes for a walk in the umbrella stroller.
Her baby doll is often placed in the swing that is meant for her sister.
She chose the pacifier that she thought her sister would like.
There will be many moments when she will try to be her mommy’s helper.

The picture my daughter sent to me that day was a picture of a bunny.
I know the bunny well.
I gave that bunny, along with a book, to my granddaughter.
The bunny was sitting all alone on a step.

Bunny is in time out, my daughter wrote below the picture.
My granddaughter was doing to bunny what has been done to her on occasion.
Bunny was even sitting on the same step.
The picture touched my heart.

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

My granddaughter was training her bunny.
When my daughter asked why bunny was in time out, my granddaughter did not say.
I’m sure in her mind, there was a reason.
Her play showed what she herself is experiencing as she is being trained.

Parenting is not for the fainthearted.
Training a child is an ongoing process.
A parent needs to be consistent, even when it is easier to look the other way.
Consistency takes time and resolve.

If you watch a child in their play, you will see yourself.
If you listen to a child in their play, you will hear yourself.
We model behavior to our children even when we are unaware.
Little eyes are watching; little ears are listening.

A child’s play is often a mirror.
As parents, we see ourselves in the play of a child.
We see our strengths.
We see where we fall short.

Often the things we say to our children come out in their play.
If you close your eyes and listen closely, you will hear your own words.
Do I really sound like that?
If you were honest, you would have to admit that you do.

Children are trying to figure out their world.
Their play is their work.
Bunny in time out made sense.
Only my little granddaughter knew the reason why bunny was in time out on the step.

Play is so important in the life of a child.
You get a glimpse into a child’s heart as you watch them play.
You get a glimpse into what they are trying to process about their world.
Something so innocent as a bunny on a step speaks volumes.

Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. (John 5:19)

Jesus, the Son of God, did everything God the Father did.
Jesus, the Son of God, said only what the Father wanted Him to say.
Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. (John 14:9)
Jesus and the Father are one.

Much can be learned as a child watches his/her parents.
The parent’s words and actions become the child’s words and actions.
We need to be mindful of what our children are seeing and hearing.
Training a child takes time but produces much fruit.

 

 

2 responses to “Train Up A Child”

1. Lovely message, and congrats on your new granddaughter!

   Reply

   • Thanks, Judith.
     She is a sweetheart!
     Blessings.
     Gina

     Reply