Train them

"Train a child in the way appropriate for him, and when he becomes older, he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6 ISV

Just over a year ago, when four dads from South Tampa, Florida, realized that the cross country running options for their middle school aged children were scarce, they decided to start their own team and launched The Bayshore Project. This nonprofit club, staffed by volunteers, meets every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday to have the kids run from two to six miles and is open to all middle school aged students. Matt Markowski, one of the dads who develops the training and track programs said, "I think if you start the children at this age, it becomes a part of their life. As they get past the early stages of pain that’s part of it, and they start seeing their times really come down as they get faster and stronger, it just becomes part of their life."

And you know, when it comes to training children at a young age, the Bible is very clear that we are to teach our children about the Lord at the earliest possible time so that He becomes a part of their life. But just as a coach alters a training plan based on the child's age, ability and individual characteristics, we, as parents, are to do the same. You see, rather than bringing up all our children in the same way, we are to "train a child in the way appropriate for him," in the way he or she will best understand God's Word and His plan for their life, based on the special strengths and abilities God has blessed them with.

Charles Swindoll says it this way, "We receive each child from the hand of God, not as a malleable lump of clay to be molded in whatever way we see fit, but as a unique, distinctive person with a destiny. We are to honor God’s creation of this one-of-a-kind individual by adapting our training to his or her characteristic manner. To fight it is to fight God’s creation. Ask God to help you make the most of your child’s natural tendencies so that he or she can live in harmony with God’s design. And when maturity comes, his or her success will be a legacy you can enjoy together."

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that You created every child uniquely and that we should teach them according to that blessed uniqueness. Help us to be Godly examples for them to follow knowing that the better we "train", the more they will see the importance of it. Oh Lord, help us to raise children that love You as much we do! It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Steal their hearts - The Neverclaim
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgSimDEdCTI