Shalom,

Now that I have my new computer up and running, we can get back to mediating on God's Word through this blog! Let's look at Proverbs 22:6:

Prov 22:6 (KJV)
6Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

"Train up" is the Hebrew word, chanak, which means: to initiate, to discipline, to dedicate, to train, a child in "the way", the Hebrew word, derek, which means: a course of life, a mode of action, a direction, a manner, a habit, he should go and "when", the Hebrew word, kiy, which means: certainly, when, because that, therefore, indeed, he is old, "he will (not) depart", the Hebrew word, cuwr, which means: to turn aside, to depart, to remove, to take away, to cause to turn aside, to be removed from it. The Amplified Bible says this:

Prov 22:6 (Amplified)
6Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.

I've always loved how the Amplified Bible says "in keeping with his individual gift or bent". It is very important that parents allow their children to become who and what God intends for them to be! We've all seen parents who try to relive their own lives through their children, sometimes forcing them to be involved in things in which they not only have no interest, but also have no gift for or inclination towards. The very best thing that we who are parents can do is to spend time in prayer daily for our children and to teach and train them in the Word of God. Train them how to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and to recognize His leading in their lives. Support them, teach them, train them, encourage them, but most of all, love them! The promise is very clear! They WILL eventually serve the Lord! We have God's Word on that!

Shalom in Him!