"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

I try to stay focused on this passage of scripture in Proverbs (22:6 to be exact) as I spend each day with our three children. At times I can become so overwhelmed at the task of training them that I loose proper balance and begin placing undo pressure on myself and them.

My mom stated to me the other day that she and a friend of hers realized when they were raising their kids, that they were subconsciously attempting to teach principles only once. Basically trying to "nip it in the bud" once and for all. For example if a child lied, they would correct them in hopes that the lecture would teach the child to never lie again. She encouraged me to realize that this is not only impossible, but harmful to both parties.

All parents undoubtedly know that children need to be told things over and over...and over again. So why do I get frustrated when I have to tell my child for the fifteenth time to "be kind to her brother". If I were to step back and look at the big picture, I would see all the previous times they have gotten along well. Not only that, but all the times that the instruction to "be kind to one another" has taken effect.

I suppose I would criticize my children less if I would look at them through the lenses that God looks at me. How many times do I have to learn the same lesson over again? How many times does Christ teach me the way that is right, only to choose another path...AGAIN!? We learn from our mistakes and we learn from repetition. God has provided grace through Jesus, and perhaps I should extend such grace to my children as well. Remembering that God is patient with me when I am just as forgetful.

The end of the aforementioned verse gives clue to when the training truly produces fruit. When they are grown. Perhaps one should take into consideration that our current days raising our children are really just practice for when they grow up.

I have been told before to watch for teachable moments. I pray that with each mistake I will not see a failure, but rather an opportunity to guide our little ones down the right path. A path that they will hopefully choose one day on their own.