Don’t Derail The Train

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6, NIV 1984).

My Musings – This is a proverb (stating a general truth or piece of advice), not a promise (declaring that something will or will not occur). Sometimes those trained the worst turn out the best and those trained the best turn out the worst. So, just because it is not a promise, it is still best to go with what is generally (in most cases) true. And that is, those trained the best turn out the best.

But in the end, whether the training is good or bad, we can never blame the training. We are individually responsible if we turn from “the way [we] should go.” Unfortunately, taking responsibility is not in our nature. We prefer to blame our training, upbringing, circumstances, or society. Parents who neglect training their children “in the way [they] should go” will be held accountable. But it will not absolve the child, “when [they are] old” enough, for the way they choose to turn.

My Advice – I recall my mom stating on many occasions that the first place she took her children (there are three of us) was to church. If you have children, I will say that is a good way to start. Take, not send. But don’t leave the training there. “Be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” (Deuteronomy 4:9, NIV 1984). Watch yourself, because your children and grandchildren are watching you. What are they learning as they watch you? Don’t undermine the training by what you do.