Taking “Training Up a Child” to a Whole New Level

During this unexpected schooling-at-home, I have received so much entertainment from many of my friends. I’ve watched some hilarious antics, as well as creative YouTube videos of moms becoming “at-home-school” principals. One meme said: “Homeschool Day 1: Wondering how I can get this kid transferred out of my class”. Another one said: “It’s Day 1 of Homeschool: Out of the four of us, only three of us cried.” And, this one: “Home Schooling Update: My child just said I hope I don’t have the same teacher next year.”

I was able to fly the coop to my Austin family. I'm enjoying my two youngest grands with their homeschooling. Bryson, age 13, is good at it since he's been homeschooled for years. Brennan, age 15, has adapted well. I witnessed him creating and giving a presentation via video in several locations around their property with creativity and ingenuity. Amazing!

Homeschooling wasn't a consideration back in my day. But, church-schooling was. In those years, we learned every Bible story and memorized a lot of scriptures. Even in those early years, we learned to call upon the God of those Bible stories and scriptures to be our "help". The older we became, the more we realized that all of those years of child training established us in life. We carried those same principles on, and into our children, who are leading their own children by that example.

I’ve loved seeing the moms and dads who are integrating Bible stories and scriptures into their homeschooling during this quarantine. The scripture “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he’ll not depart from it” is an ANCHOR scripture from Proverbs 22:6. What if God allowed these times to be the foundation for their present and future – even to the extent of their future children someday?

Children are so impressionable in their environments. Where there is abusive language and actions or where there is calm and patience – they will potentially take on as their normal. They learn by example. I realize our faith was built upon the example of our parents and what they taught us from the way they loved each other and spoke to or about each other. They instilled in us the fortitude, tenacity, unwavering faith and strength to draw from, and to know that God loves us unceasingly. They taught us that when the going gets tough and pressures seem insurmountable, we have a confidence in knowing God is able and willing to meet our every need. We know our hope and trust was, and always will be, in the One whose steadfast love never ceases and His faithfulness will always carry us through.

Seriously, dear moms and dads – my heart goes out to you and what you have been forced to take on during this time of quarantine. Hopefully, you’ll never be in these circumstances again after this quarantine ends. But, more than that, I pray these words impress you enough to never stop training your children and grandchildren in the ways they should go. I promise you...it is worth the effort!

Train Up A Child in the Way He Should Go

Some people ask me "How do you know scriptures so well? How do you know so many stories from the Bible?" And my response is, "I cut my teeth on the back of a pew." LOL! It was because, from an infant -- our church seemed like our second home. It was our family's "go to" place for fellowship with friends and with God. Sunday School and Youth Meetings were where we played "Sword Drills" (that's a game, using our Bibles, of who could find a particular scripture first and then stand up and read it).

But, a favorite memory and the highlight of many summers, was attending Vacation Bible School (as if we didn't get enough Bible stories during the rest of the year at Sunday School and church). I have fond memories of craft-time, snack time (with Kool Aid and cookies), flannel board stories (yes, that was the old days before all the high tech visuals) and memorizing various scriptures.

Those memories flooded back to me when I was in Tulsa a couple of weeks ago at my home church there. I saw parents feverishly decorating the hallways, classrooms and fellowship hall for the "Mighty Fortress" VBS week coming up. I loved it. The kids were all so excited. That's Claire, my godson's precious little sister, who just had to show me how she helped decorate.

Then, last night, at Elevate Life Church where my kids attend here in Frisco, and where my granddaughter was one of the student leaders, I saw the big finale of VBS, which included the parents. Take a look at that scripture verse that I heard repeated over and over by the kids to know and memorize. Over 600 kids attended VBS this week. To say that I was impressed put it mildly and speaking of high tech -- it sure wasn't like it was for me many moons ago. But, I can tell you this, it's the same "Good News" message of abundant life that Jesus came to give us -- that He is our best friend. I loved it when I kept hearing "Jesus is your best friend" over and over, and that is so true.

The lessons I learned back in the day, the scriptures I memorized, and the stories of faith and trusting in God carried on into my life today. The stories and scriptures are what has sustained and strengthened me in my toughest times and have given me joy and peace in my journey of faith.

I promise you, Moms and Dads, Grandmoms and Grandads, teaching your children about God and His Word, will carry them through to adulthood and even beyond to the families they will have some day. Take the time to invest wisely in them by taking them to church. Talk about God and His love for us at your dinner table. Help them memorize scriptures. When you see them teaching their children one day, you'll be ever grateful for the seeds you planted and then watching the harvest that came up, because you did. That's how I felt last night when I witnessed my granddaughter teaching young children how to love and praise God. Those little eyes and ears were watching and listening. And, they watch and listen in our homes. Keep laying the foundation that will keep them standing strong.
"Train 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 or She Should Go

My husband and I grew up as “church” kids. Our parents ensured that we were in church every time the doors opened – Sunday School, Sunday morning and night services, Wednesday night service, Thursday night youth services, and when an evangelist came into town, church was every night of the week. Back in those early years, we learned every Bible story, every hymn and chorus (and the actions), and memorized a lot of scriptures. As children, it was so sweet to know God. Our needs were met, and our wants were provided for, and pressures only came with a big test or exam, or disappointment in a friend.

Even in those early years, we learned what it was to call upon the God of those Bible stories, scriptures and songs to be our "help". And, the older we got, the more we discovered, that all of those years of “child training” established us in life. In fact, we carried those same principles on, and into our children, who are leading their own children by that example.

Now, I realize that our faith was built upon those principles – for example – the same God that kept Daniel in the lion’s den and the three Hebrew boys in the firey furnace, that helped David slay the giant, that opened the Red Sea for Moses, and more than all that, the same God that gave us His only Son who went about doing good, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear, died on a rugged cross, was buried and rose from the dead....is the same God who loves us and desires to perform His good works in us today!

That’s what our Moms and Dads really gave us -- they were instilling in us the fiber, the fortitude, the tenacity, the unwavering faith and strength to draw from, and to know that our God loves us unceasingly, and that when the going gets tough and pressures seem insurmountable, we have a confidence in knowing, God is able and willing to meet our every need. We know our hope and trust was, and always will be, in the One whose steadfast love never ceases and His faithfulness will always carry us through. I sure hope these words impress you enough to train your children and grandchildren in the ways they should go. I promise you...it is worth the effort!

Train Up a Child in the Way He Should Go

My husband and I grew up as “church” kids. Our parents made sure we were in church every time the doors opened – Sunday School, Sunday morning and night services, Wednesday night service, Thursday night youth services, and when an evangelist came into town, church was every night of the week. My best friends were those that I grew up with and hung out with at my church. Back in those early years, we learned every Bible story, every hymn and chorus (and the actions), and memorized a lot of scriptures. As children, it was so sweet to know God. Our needs were met, and our wants were provided for, and pressures only came with a big test or exam, or maybe a friend that disappointed us.

Even in those early years, we learned what it was to call upon the God of those Bible stories, scriptures and songs to be our "help". And, the older we got, the more we discovered that all of those years of “child training” established us in life. In fact, we carried those same principles on, and into our children, who are leading their own children by that example.

Now, I realize that our faith was built upon those principles – for example – the same God that kept Daniel in the lion’s den and the three Hebrew boys in the firey furnace, that helped David slay the giant, that opened the Red Sea for Moses, and more than all that, the same God that gave us His only Son who went about doing good, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear, died on a rugged cross, was buried and rose from the dead....is the same God who loves us and desires to perform His good works in us today!

That’s what our moms and dads really gave us -- they were instilling in us the fiber, the fortitude, the tenacity, the unwavering faith and strength to draw from, and to know that our God loves us unceasingly, and that when the going gets tough and pressures seem insurmountable, we have a confidence in knowing God is able and willing to meet our every need. We know our hope and trust was, and always will be, in the One whose steadfast love never ceases and His faithfulness will always carry us through. I sure hope these words impress you enough to train your children and grandchildren in the ways they should go. I promise you...it is worth the effort!

The Champ Was Born

Day 179 of Photo Inspirations –  “The Champ” Was Born
#TBT Eleven years ago today my husband and I (aka Papa & Nana) were making our way “turbo speed” to Nashville. Our 5th grandchild was about to make his big debut and we were relentless in getting there before he did. And, complying with our hopes and desires, Brennan Keith Wuerch hung on for us to get there for the “crowning” achievement. And, that made Papa call him his “Champ” right from the get go. He was a perfect, beautiful and precious baby boy who brought even more joy and excitement to our world. Oh, how we thanked God for this little miracle…..#5 in our string of 6 beautiful grandchildren.

Getting to stay on with them for the next two weeks, his sweet Mama, Shawntel, and I, got to see this little “Champ” be true to Papa’s name for him – eating and sleeping like a Champ. We followed the steps in “Baby Wise” and we were consistently giving each other High 5’s at how quickly he adapted to his new world.

Today, I get to celebrate this precious boy and the absolute joy he brought to us. He is kind, funny, sensitive, oh, so smart, loves God so much and is a ball of energy as well as quite the competitor and athlete. He continues to be our “Champ” today as he has become an accomplished baseball player on his  All-Star Baseball Team.

Lots of experiences in his 11-year journey – experiences that will continue to make him into THE CHAMP aka Champion that God destined him to be. I pray that, speak that, and believe that for him and all of my grandchildren. I choose to believe that what we speak and instill in our children and grandchildren is what they will become. And Brennan is becoming all that and more. Happy 11th Birthday, precious Brennan Keith Wuerch. I love you and thank God for blessing our lives with YOU!

Train Up a Child -- It is Worth the Effort

For over 12 years, our daughter, Staci Wallace, travelled, sang and spoke at the "Get Motivated" seminars with Peter Lowe, Zig Ziglar, Tom Hopkins, and always on the guest speaker list were former presidents, prime ministers, professional athletes, and many other dignitaries. I don't share this to impress you, but it impresses me about the mightiness of God's orchestration of our lives.

My husband and I had planned on being at a conference in Maui, but something altered our plans, and since we had already paid for the conference, we insisted that our daughter take our place to just get strengthened, motivated and encouraged at a very vulnerable time in her life -- long before meeting her wonderful husband, Larry. Staci's Dad (my sweet husband) was her coach (better known as Sargeant Dad because he was relentless in pulling every ability, talent and gifting out of her -- when it came to her basketball playing, her singing, and her public speaking). And, I was relentless in being a Stage Mom -- entering her into vocal competitions, pageants and speaking opportunities. As she was about to leave for the trip to Maui, her Dad, as always, said, "Be prepared just in case they ask you to sing -- take your accompaniment tracks with you!" Which, she always did. And, sure enough, she was asked to sing at the event. She WAS prepared, and belted out a song in her usual passionate style. This time, Peter Lowe was at the back of the room and heard her. At the end of the session, he introduced himself to her and asked if she'd like to be a part of his "Get Motivated" events. And, that began a remarkable journey for both of us -- I was her travel companion, photographer, and product sales manager. It was a thrill, and joy -- on so many levels. We knew it was a divine set-up!

I shared this story with you to urge you to cultivate, embrace, celebrate, coach and nurture the giftings of your children and grandchildren. There is no greater gift or asset that God gives us than our children. God gives them to us and what we help them become.....is our gift back to God. It is worth every effort, every investment of time and resources, when we see them excel and become all God has destined them to be. At those "Get Motivated" events, Staci always opened the day with her "American Medley" song. Later Tom Hopkins asked her to record an album of motivational songs for his speaking tour, which included this song. The backdrop of the song was compelling photos, videos and scenes of our great country, the men and women who serve our country and those who have given their lives to give us the freedoms we have today. I gift this song and my precious daughter to you today in honor of this glorious land that we live in, the freedoms that we have, and the blessings of God to call this land our HOME on this side of heaven.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sZH8qGwqMk