Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 AMP
Point your kids in the right direction – when they’re old they won’t be lost. Proverbs 22:6 The Message
Before I ever birthed a child, a counselor shared one of the most significant parenting tips I’ve ever heard. Bill Cusack’s words work for all relationships, but his saying came to mind most often while raising my son and daughter. It still does.
“You can love ‘em into heaven or preach ‘em into hell.”
It came to mind while researching Bible verses for yesterday’s blog post “A Baby Changes Everything.” The verse from Proverbs popped up about training our children, teaching our children, and pointing our children in the right direction – not a word about preaching to our children.
Billy Graham in his article “Living Out the Gospel: Responsibility of Parents” said, “Set for your children a good example. Many parents preach to their children, but do not set a good example.”
Although not my deliberate plan, I expected my children to live out the sermons I preached to them instead of the example I set. It’s crazy and lazy to think we can get by with only talking instead of walking that talk, which is where the loving (instead of preaching) comes in.
Bill’s quote helped grow me up right along with my children. They didn’t want or need my sermons. They needed my example and my love that only happens when I’m living out my destiny that only happens when I’m in relationship with Jesus.
We can take this message into every relationship, which is how Kirk Cameron says we’ll heavenize our world. I’d love to read your comments.
In This Together,
Kim
Well said, this is excellent
Thanks a bunch, Joel! You’re hired as one of my official cheerleaders. I can pay in M&Ms. lol 😊
Great job Kim! Again I wish we’d put all this into action many years ago. Thank you for sharing as we are truly in this together ♥️🙏
Oh, me too, Connie! I look back and realize how clueless I was back then. And sometimes I still am, but not like in the past.
We are in this together and I’m so grateful! Thank you. 😍
Kim, you are so right! I often wish I had taken the road you just described. Talking at them gets us nowhere. Conversations with them and more importantly showing them are what makes a difference. Thanks 😄
Hi Barbara,
I keep reminding myself it’s not too late – have those conversations now, set the examples now, love Jesus now,
and hope my adult children see it and know how real it is,
and hope they especially follow that example.
I’m so grateful we had the opportunity to spend four weeks getting to know each other better. Thanks for being here. ❤️