“Train up a child in the way he should go. Even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 NIV

This is a verse that I have heard over the years, and when I heard it (because this is what I was taught), I believed it meant that if I trained my child in the ways of God, in the end he would not stray from those ways. As I have looked at it closer, the verse seems to say much more to me. One version of that scripture says:

“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.” Proverbs 22:6 AMP

In keeping with his individual gift or bent… this seems to indicate we should be directing our children to discover their gifts or bents in addition to encouraging them to seek God’s direction in using those gifts to glorify Him.

While this may not seem to surprising to some, it came as a new revelation to me. Sometimes as parents, we tend to have thoughts in our minds of what our children should become. We have thoughts of experiences, friends and social situations that fit our idea of what “our” children should be doing and what they should emulate. We have thoughts of college and acceptable vocations. What I am realizing , though, is that these children that we have been graciously given by God, are His and He will direct them in areas so that their gifts can be used to serve others.

Is it just me or is this knowledge freeing to others as well? To know that our job is to help our children discover their gift, encourage them in that gift and trust God to manage the rest, brings me such peace.

We went to a homeschool conference this past weekend and my son was asked what his “bent” was by another adult. It was encouraging to know that I was not surprised at his answer: music. He said without hesitation, “I like to play my guitar”. I know, as his mom, I must encourage him in that direction. The fact that he has incredible skill in this area is confirmation that this particular gift will be a continuing passion in his life.