It Starts at the Beginning

You bring home the most cherished gift you've ever received in your whole life. The majority of the population has one, but no one has one even remotely comparable to yours! The softest, sweetest smelling, most beautiful baby that you hold safely locked in your cradled arms, may not be your first, or last, but there is no other in the whole world like it. You seem to bring home only masterfully hand-crafted originals. This one, as did the others, came with a package full of "ready to mix; just add teaching" love.

You are fully prepared to place this love among the assortment you already have, and not so suddenly, you realize that the much required staple, teaching, must be added as well, so as to avoid the spoiling of the highly valued love. The land is fully equipped with this "teaching" ingredient, however, it's delicate nature leaves you uncertain of exactly what brand to get, how much to apply, and when to apply it.

These questions are easily answered by God, Himself. You couldn't possibly take counsel, in the handling of your most prized possession, from any other.

Psalms 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Psalms 143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

Psalms 25:4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

Psalms 25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

Of course you find yourself talking to the all knowing God, when you are caught in a struggle between your own will, and the desire to do the right things in life. So, it should be, when you realize that your wonderful gift of a child has found a will of his own. Immediately you decide that you need some words of encouragement through the confusing task of bending your child's will to fit the needs of others outside of himself. What better time is there to seek the wise and worthy counsel and assistance of the Creator of that very gift you are supervising?

Exodus 4:11-12 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

The LORD told this to Moses, but did He not preserve it for you to read? And can you not have confidence in the very same powerful God that leads His people still? So ask Him. He will give you the purest teaching with which to grow love!

You may still ponder the question of how often you should apply words of wisdom and instruction to this treasure of yours.

Deuteronomy 6:1-2 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

It won't get much plainer than "all the days of thy life". The truth is that if your words are seasoned with the mercy and understanding that comes from the Holy Spirit within, as opposed to speaking from your own exerted will, you will find your words well received. You will find your child asking for your guidance, instead of avoiding it.

Proverbs 3:13-18 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

Finally you are at possibly the most important step in the application of teaching; when to begin. As in the creation of any other fine masterpiece, you must begin at the beginning. Oh, you look at this paragon entrusted to you, and think what perfection this is, that God has created! And you are accurate in your thinking! However, the key word, to consider, is entrusted. God made man in His own image. Yet, sin entered the earth, and distorted the reflection of God, on man. Through His almighty design, God has entrusted each of His little ones into the care of a man. So however prodigious a treasure you find yourself holding, at the beginning; it is then that you must start pointing the windows of that beautiful soul toward his own esteemed Maker and Father; in order that The Light may shine into that very soul. If this duty of yours is overlooked, then the eyes of that child will be captured by his own worth above God and others. Any act of selfishness, no matter how minute, should not be left unattended. Oh, how God blessed you when He outfitted that little one with an insatiable desire to learn and to appease you. You may do well in turning that child's desire away from yourself, and toward his Father in Heaven!

Psalms 34:11-14 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

Just in teaching a child to control his voice, before he can talk, you are enabling him to seek peace. In the mere task of teaching him to refrain from touching certain objects or from going past the boundaries set for him in the yard, you are teaching him, through your affirmation of his good behavior, to depart from evil and do good. It is most useful to remove many obstacles from the awareness of a child, within his daily surroundings. But you will encounter much trouble, upon interaction with others, should you choose an alternative to adding the ingredient of teaching, at the beginning.