“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverb 22:6 (KJV)
Learning to drive isn’t easy these days. There are more cars and trucks on the roads today than when I learned to drive. People seem to be in a hurry every where they go, which throws patience out the window. So several years ago, I let my son drive off the highway, on a dirt road. He learned to basics. Finally, when he was nearing the age to apply for a permit to learn to drive, I gave him a book of basic traffic and driving regulations to study. To receive a learner permit, he would have to take a written test. And for one full year, he would need to operate a vehicle on the highway only with me riding along.
When the day arrived that my son could take his written test, he said some of his friends failed on their first attempts. He said he wasn’t worried, but I could tell he was. He took the test and passed. I said that his hard work studying paid off. He looked at me and declared that he really didn’t study the book I’d given him. I asked how he knew the answers. He said simply that he watched me drive, and the answers were just common sense.
He watched me drive? For how long? He watched my impatience at someone in front of me wouldn’t drive the way I wanted–faster? He watched my mistakes? And yet he did learn enought to be able to answer test questions. Something went right. Praise the Lord, for I didn’t know I’d been teaching my son to drive. Wow!
So, I had to ask myself, what else I have trained my son to do while being unaware of it? All the things I thought I was suppose to teach him, and not once did I intend to teach him to drive, yet. Oh, oh! This all makes me look very differently at the Lord’s injunction to: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverb 22:6 (KJV) I am a trainer, full time, in season and out. Hummmm. Sounds familiar, huh?
May the Lord grant my son remembrance of training that is proper, forgetfulness of things improper, that he may have learned from me and from others. Lord forgive me for not recognizing that all I do is observed and becomes training to others around me, especially my own children.
Lord grant us all wisdom to live righteously and centered upon Messiah.
Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .
JonahzSong 