Train up a child

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

This verse, along with Ephesians 6:1 (Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right), are probably the most well known verses in the Bible when it comes to raising children. 

But what does Proverbs 22:6 mean? I've heard several messages over the years and I always lean back to this meaning: when your children are young, teach them about God. Show them the way to have peace in their lives. Teach them about forgiveness; both asking and receiving it. Sing songs of praise with them, so they would always have a glimpse of joy in their minds. Read to them and then listen, while they read back to you. Pray with them and allow them to talk to God with their own words (not just reciting the Lord's Prayer as found in Matthew 6:9-13). Worship with them in 'big' church. Teach them about the importance of communion and baptism. Play with them - show them how to live with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and (especially) self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23). Children are sponges - from birth to Kindergarten. These are the years we should be concentrating on - to build their foundation in the Lord.

With such a foundation, the child will be wearing the Armor of God, without even realizing it. Though, there may be a time, when they do and decide (which is ok - God gives us the ability to choose) to take it off. Thankfully, parents have already begun praying for this possible scenario; and now have asked other prayer warriors to join in. Teenagers and young adults may walk away from the church during this season of their lives. They may try worldly things. But I believe, that they will turn back to God, because they have that foundation in Him, that was built strong through the early years - it will sustain them and they will return. It might not be til they are married or until they have children of their own, and they remember the love they found with their family, and with their church family.

So train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Others say, the training doesn't happen until after high school graduation; or when they are married with children. Although I myself didn't accept Christ as my Lord and Savior til I was 19, I would have loved growing up in a Christian home, similar to what my kids had experienced. And although my choices aren't always leaning toward God, I know that He will always love me no matter what; and I will, in return, love Him back.

So what would you say this verse means?

Knowing My Purpose

I'm excited to share my purpose with you. It was only last week that I "discovered" it, that is, actually even thought about it and then wrote it down. I'm in a program called Soar 2 Success with Cassandra Washington and her One Degree Shift group. I'm already starting to take off just by knowing my purpose and what to do with it. So here it goes - my purpose is the share my imagination with others. How do I do that, you ask? Well, obviously a big part of it is in story telling or writing.

Last spring I was in a writing program and learned about stream of consciousness writing. And if you're ever read some of my blogs, you know that I can write until the cows come home, and then some. I was born to write, so I could share my dreams, adventures, experiences, struggles and successes with others. My current dream (that is, what I am going to accomplish this year - 2016) is to write a book called Around Robin Hood's Barn: a collection of my childhood stories. I'm including a few interesting ones like what I had to do to be initiated into a fort (club in the woods); and when a friend and I found a six pack of beer in the lake. My goal is not to put you to sleep at any time while reading. Well, unless you're reading while putting your own children to bed, then they're allowed to sleep. But if I hear that you were even yawning while reading, I'm going to come over to your house and take back my book. haha. Just kidding, of course. Though that might be another adventure to go on - visit all of my reader's homes and discover what their dreams are.

Last summer, as I was finishing a chapter for the book Emerge: Real Stories of Courage and Truth; I was somewhat depressed because it was at the same time as the anniversary of my late husband's death. Special dates are always hard to get through. Anyway - I was praying and asking God what it was that I was supposed to get out of all of it? I mean, besides writing, which really has been the best thing for me to restart. I thought - if I could just help one person with their own grief, then going through this experience was worth it. So with my imagination, which comes from my heart, I created comfort bags. Bags with items that would hopefully provide some comfort to widows - for this journey is like none other and only those who are on it can empathize with you. Items may vary as supplies are available, but currently the bag includes a journal (for writing letters to your loved one), a book (prayers), a nice handkerchief (because tissues run out), a stuffed animal (something to cuddle) and a CD (with soothing hymns). I have been giving them away to people I know, but I also have some available for purchase on my website suecorbran.com It's something you give the widow in lieu of flowers, because we know that flowers will soon fade and die, but the grief will go on.

This past weekend, I was hoping to see a woman who I had met a few weeks ago. She wore a shirt that stated that her best friend/husband was in heaven, so I struck up a conversation with her after the service. Sure enough, her husband had passed away not too long ago, but she was still coming to church to worship, for some peace and comfort. I told her about my bags and how I wanted to give her one. Well, the next week, I was distracted and forgot to grab it out of my car, and then last night, she wasn't there. So I still have one for her. In the meantime, I noticed another woman who recently buried her daughter. It was a sudden death and she didn't have time to say I love you, and really didn't know if she had Jesus in her heart. I was holding a comfort bag in my hand, so I walked up to her and told her how sorry I was for her loss and gave her a big hug. And then I presented the comfort bag to her. Explained that I usually just give them to widows, but I thought she would also benefit from it. She cried and we talked and she hugged me again.  I was glad to be able to help her. Well, I went to church again this morning and saw her after the service. She reached out for another hug and started talking about all of the items and what they meant to her and how thankful she was that I thought about her, and it just touched my heart. It was truly a God thing. He orchestrated all of this - and put it upon my heart where my imagination lives - and the bags were created. There have been over a dozen women who have already received a bag, and I still know three others whom I want to give one to. This is a ministry for sure. This is a way I can be of service to the God I love more than anything. Not just because he has my Barry up in heaven with Him, but because He has given me so much strength, comfort and peace through my own grief journey. I have truly been blessed.