The tired (and “retired”) ex-grade school teacher moved slowly towards the supermarket checkout counter. Her left leg hurt—a nasty reminder of its arthritic condition. Her whole body ached from the exertion of the long shopping trip. So tired was she that she couldn’t even remember if she had taken all her medications that morning.
Coming from another aisle and heading for the same checkout counter, she saw a young man with four children and a pregnant wife in tow—their shopping cart full of groceries and other items.
The teacher observed the tattoo on his neck and wondered if he had been to prison. His white Tshirt, shaved hair and baggy pants suggested that he might be a gang member.
She slowed even more, to let the man and his family go ahead of her. “You can go first,” she offered.
But he countered her offer: “No, you go first.”
“No,” she persisted. “Go ahead, you have more people with you.”
“But,” came the reply, “we should always respect our elders.” Then with a sweeping motion, he motioned the elderly lady to go ahead of him in line.
A brief and surprised smile flickered across her face as she hobbled in front of him. She certainly had not expected such courtesy. Nodding “thank-you,” the ex-school teacher decided she couldn’t let such a moment pass. Turning back to him she asked, “Who taught you your good manners, son?”
The young man, looking intently at the elderly lady, paused for a moment before answering. Then with a wide grin he answered, “Why, you did, Mrs. Wallace—when I was in your third grade class!”
We read in Proverbs 22:66Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6), “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” The Spirit of God, by this precious verse, would surely encourage each parent to continue maintaining watchful care and diligence in the raising of their children.
The stories of Moses, Joseph, Daniel, Timothy and others recorded in the Bible give ample evidence of the blessing connected with the training of children, in their earliest years, in that pathway which will lead to rich blessing.
Daniel was sorely tried and tested as a young man in Babylon, but he remained faithful, never turning aside from walking in faithfulness to Jehovah, and what blessing his devotion wrought! Daniel’s parents perhaps had little realization of the vital importance, lasting impact and preserving blessing their training of him would have.
When Daniel was old he still walked faithfully in that which he had been taught as a child.
Ed.