Train up a child in the way he should go...

Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." We have tried to train our children to serve the Lord and attend church faithfully. Our children had to see that just because Christians or the world is unkind--this is not a reason to stop being a faithful servant of the Lord. God tells us in his word to be merciful, kind, and to be peacemakers. We have tried to train our children to show kindness to people no matter what their lot in life and no matter how they treat you.

II Timothy 2:3 "Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." We have tried to teach our children to not give up and quit even though life can be hard at times. Being a wife and a mother is not always an easy thing. I know this is going to be a shocker--but I have not always agreed with the decisions my husband made! The King James Bible teaches wives to obey, submit, and reverence their husband. I know that when I did this; we had victory in our lives. I have not always remembered to do this (and still sometimes forget), so I have seen what happens when I don't obey God's word and what happens when I do. We have tried to keep an excellent spirit even when it was hard. Because if we did not keep an excellent spirit--it hurt our children. Instead of complaining, endure the hardness.

Proverbs 29:15 "...but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame." My husband and I try not to leave our children alone in our house, alone at our church, or alone while we are with family and friends. We have not always been successful, but it is our plan. Your work or a desire to speak with someone can tempt you to leave your children alone. So much evil can be done in a child's life in just a short amount of time when you leave them by themselves.

Proverbs 11:14 "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." Each person should have a Pastor and a multitude of counsellors. Seek counsel when your ways to train your child are not successful. Even though my husband is a pastor; we also have a pastor, and we still have a multitude of counsellors. Humble yourself, admit you have failed, and get help as soon as possible!

Most of our children are still young, but it is our hope and desire that they will serve the Lord faithfully for the rest of their lives. We have tried to maintain the basics of the Christian life and instill these values in our children: Bible reading, prayer, church attendance and soul winning. Even when we don't feel like doing what we should--we try to do what we know is right. We are trusting in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to give us the victory because HIS ways are best!