What Can I Do

While wringing my hands, about what I thought to be a particularly evil political climate, I found myself utterly at a loss as to “what else can I possibly do” to affect what I saw as the legislator's undoing of our country.
I had written my letters to senators and congressional representatives, made telephone calls and even received written correspondence from some of them expressing “concern” for my views and that they would certainly be taken under consideration”
Eventually this tale leads to highlight my own prayer life and how I repeatedly asked God “what else I should be doing?”
He, one day while I was on a “prayer walk”, answered my question in the form of a question impressed upon my soul.
“How many pairs of tennis shoes do you have running around your house?”
Well, at that time, my lovely bride and I did have four children living at home, and I was very busy with work, and commuting etc.
So it dawned on me that the Great God of Heaven had granted me the ability to affect the lives of some very small people, by training them and raising them “in the admonition of The Lord”
That was the day when Fathering took on a new light for me. It caused me to remember Proverbs 22:6.
The Word says “Train up a child in the way that he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Literally it says discipline or initiate your son, or daughter, from infant to adolescent in the way of their bent or disposition.
The picture is one of training, or working, or narrowing of a piece of wood into an archer’s bow, or a custom made yoke for a pair of oxen.
The wood worker, whether a novice or a skilled craftsman, can, by working the grain or “bent” of the wood, fashion a very exquisite piece of furniture, or weapon.
Notice I made no distinction in skill level; point being you have to study the wood to “find the grain” (Study the child to find the “bent”)
Here’s where the rubber meets the road. You have to invest TIME in the study of your own children to find out how they learn, what they’re good at, what are their likes and dislikes, and then present them opportunities to grow the way they’ll do best.
If you’re rearing children, whether you’re a father or mother, I hope you “see” the very rewarding responsibility God has granted you.
And as a loving Father Himself, He gives you plenty of grace to accomplish that task, provided you are faithful to HIS Word.
Yup… That’s what I said, & I mention THAT because it’s really important that YOU are also studying GOD. (Hence theology) As you grow closer to God, you’ll also grow closer to your children.
Hope this helps, Go study your kids, and while you're at it
-Wo