Rev. Dr. Delesslyn A. Kennebrew, J.D., M.Div.
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Visionary Strategist Faithful Innovator Inspirational Essayist
Visionary Strategist Faithful Innovator Inspirational Essayist
Salvation and Stilettos Blog
Salvation and Stilettos Blog
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Train Up Children and Childish Adults - Proverbs 22:6
| Posted on October 22, 2018 at 8:00 AM |
 Greetings! BlogFam, Our verse
for today seems pretty straightforward. Train
children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won’t depart from
it. [Proverbs 22:6] I am sure
that you have heard this verse spoken when a child, particular a child under
the age of 18, is either exhibiting exemplary behavior or when they need to be
disciplined. This verse has been quoted
time and time again to inform, advise, or remind those who have children in
their care of the importance of training children up in such a way that
develops them into positive, productive citizens and even faithful followers of
God. The implication is that when you
are intentional in doing so, the child will not stray away from those teachings
as adults. So, if this
is the “promise,” when I observe the childish behavior of so many adults, it
begs the questions of whether or not they were trained up in the way they
should go, or whether or not they have grown old enough to not depart. I mean, the adults that misbehave, were they
not trained in the way they should go or maybe the training came late and
perhaps they have not gotten old enough yet to not get off track. There are so many adults that certainly act
as if they had no home training or any other training that would make them positive
and productive people. I have met some
childish adults that make me think that this verse is not limited to the
children and youth we tend to fit into its wisdom. I wonder if it could also apply to adults who
have not yet been trained, adults that need to mature in various aspects of
their lives, adults that are not emotionally or spiritually mature enough to not
depart. I wonder if
we could use this verse for them…or for us in certain matters of the heart and
Spirit. I think there are some ways in
my own maturation that I am still learning and growing and developing into the
woman God is calling for me to be and to become. In that sense, life is training me, mentors
are training me, peers are training me, the Holy Spirit is training me, and
once I choose to fully integrate those lessons into my life, as an adult, I
will not depart. So, I guess I am
suggesting that we need to expand this verse to include room for our childish
ways as adults or at least those aspects of ourselves that have been underdeveloped
or not yet tapped into because of our own limited exposure or experience to be
able to grow up in certain ways. I can
appreciate this verse even more. It is
not just for parents and their children.
It is for ALL of us because in some way, ALL of us need to grow up. The truth is that we will never stop growing
up especially if you consider our spirituality.
We are, or at least we should be, continuously growing up in God
understanding that we will not reach our full maturity until Jesus returns. So, YES,
this verse applies to creation regardless of our age and if you are honest, you
already know that includes YOU too. I
know it includes me. We, as adults, need to grow up out of our childish ways
of thinking, speaking, and behaving in this world. We need to grow up and stop refusing to learn
new things or meet new people or visit new places or consider new ideas. We need to grow up and be open to all the
ways that God will prepare us to serve and share. We need to grow up. And we need to commit and recommit to not
depart from the most beneficial lessons of our lives. We need to commit and recommit to not getting
off track by our own laziness or lackadaisical attitudes or being led astray by
negative influences. Friends, as
adults, we need to be open to the variety of ways we can be trained up, accept
those lessons and grow up, then commit and recommit to never departing from all
that is good for us. Given our reflection
today, I offer this addition to the wisdom of the proverb - Train children [and
childish adults] in the way they should go; when they grow old [mature and not
just over 18], they won’t depart from it. God LOVES
You and I Do Too! Blessings,
Glory, and Sunshine! Delesslyn Twitter -
@AudraSunshine Instagram -
@AudraSunshine1 |
Categories: A Proverb A Day Keeps the Foolishness At Bay, NOT SO RANDOM THOUGHTS
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