August 27, 2011 Training

"Train up a child in the way he should go, 

Even when he is old he will not depart from it." 

Proverbs 22:6

Me and the boys have been practicing with their bow the last couple weeks.  When we left the States neither could pull back their Browning Micro Midas.  Now, following a couple years of anticipation, they're ready.  It has been a lot of fun, showing them how to shoot.  And they're getting pretty good at it.  
Grip and stance, breathing and mental process are all things I've gone over with them but the thing I keep stressing over and over again is safety.  It's important for them to know from the get go that safety is important.  I am hopeful this will imprint on their rapidly growing brains and they will carry it with the rest of their lives.  
It's the same way with their faith.  Every night, well, maybe not "every" night but certainly most nights, we have Family Time where we read the Word, sing a praise song or two and pray together.  As parents, we''re constantly trying to approach issues or situations through a Biblical perspective and model a Godly walk by the way we live.  It's a daily thing but its so important and we're hopeful that these things will stick, impacting the kids' all the days of their lives.  
The other day I read a great Proverb about this very thing.  Chapter 22 verse 6 states, "Train up a child in the way he should go.  Even when he is old he will not depart from it."  Clark's Commentary on the Bible explains it like this:
When he comes to the opening of the way of life, being able to walk alone, and to choose; stop at this entrance, and begin a series of instructions, how he is to conduct himself in every step he takes. Show him the duties, the dangers, and the blessings of the path; give him directions how to perform the duties, how to escape the dangers, and how to secure the blessings, which all lie before him. Fix these on his mind by daily inculcation, till their impression is become indelible; then lead him to practice by slow and almost imperceptible degrees, till each indelible impression becomes a strongly radicated habit. Beg incessantly the blessing of God on all this teaching and discipline; and then you have obeyed the injunction of the wisest of men. Nor is there any likelihood that such impressions shall ever be effaced, or that such habits shall ever be destroyed. 
We're clinging to this promise.