Proverbs 22:6 (Amplified bible)
Train 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.
Today is Teacher's Day and even though it only officially recognises teachers in the official educational scheme, I would like to wish a Happy teachers' day to my fellow commanders who tirelessly teach boys and girls in their various outposts.
There's this infamous awful quote from Henry Louis Mencken (1880-1956), an American writer, that goes "Those who can-do. Those who can't - teach". As insulting a quote it is for anyone who is in the teaching line, its was something true for me.
Having grown up with talented musically talented friends, I felt I could not contribute anything else but to help out as an assistant teacher. However, that journey of a teacher has been incredibly fulfilling.
The bible reminds us to train a child (below the age of 12) by pointing them to the right path and as per their gifting because when they grow up as adults, the fundamentals built into their lives won't be forgotten.
Over the years, I've witnessed many cute, nice kids growing into ugly, nasty youths and thereafter, leaving the church. I used to wonder at the truth of this passage. But I have come to accept that the fact that everything we can do to impart into a child's life will never be forgotten, even if they choose to go awry in their teens or adult life. The work that we build in their lives can never be removed and someday, by the very grace of God, all those whose hearts have grown cold will return to God because they'll remember the lessons imparted to them of the love of Jesus in their childhood days .
M.
"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 3:14-15)
