On the drive home from my son’s school about a week ago, I asked him how his day had gone? I asked the same question everyday but this day, as he’d left his backpack at home, I was particularly interested in how he’d gotten along since I couldn’t and wouldn’t go home to get it. A middle school student needed to learn from their mistakes.

Anyway, the story of his day unfolded quickly. I was listening, excited at his excitement. Then he got to what would be my favorite part of the story.

“And, Ma. I was so lucky in Ms. Boykin’s class. She usually reviews our notes from the day before and I was so scared because I didn’t have mine. I didn’t want her yell at me. But guess what?” He gushed.

“What?” I said on time.

“She started a whole new lesson so I didn’t even need my old notes!”

I was happy for him.  Glad that his day of unpreparedness hadn’t been as bad as he thought it was going to be, but I was happier for what the Holy Spirit whispered in my ear. “Teach him.”

“No baby.” I transitioned smoothly. “That wasn’t luck. That was God working things out for your good.”

A quizzical expression crossed his face so I expounded. “God is always working things out for the good of those who believe in Him, even children. You leaving your backpack at home could have made for a bad day at school but God saw fit to turn it around for your good. What happened today is also a testimony for you as to how God works in your life.”

He nodded understanding and the conversation for the ride home came to an end. My heart was warm from the opportunity to teach my son about God’s goodness and how it was evident even at his young age.

Proverbs 22:6 tell us to “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he grows old, he will not depart from it.” I used to think this responsibility ended with taking my children to church on a regular basis, sometimes Sunday School, and teaching them right from wrong. As I’ve been growing spiritually over the last few years, the Holy Spirit has made it clear to me that it’s so much more than that. My children, and yours need to see  you living a Christian life, must hear you speaking as a Christian should. And not in a holier than thou kind of way, either, because none of us are perfect. In fact, we’re far from it. Like the experience with my son, it’s even better when you can make God’s word relatable to their level of understanding when opportunities present itself.

I can’t wait for the next time! How are you training up your child? Share in the comments below.

Naturally Yours,

L.A.