Title
A Wise Child
Scripture
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will delight in him.
(Proverbs 23:24)
Devotional
We can be wise in our training, instruct, teach and discipline to the best of our ability. However, wisdom in a child is the child's choice. As we cannot take but a tiniest credit for a child's success, we cannot take but a very small blame for their failure. Consider the myriads of people who have succeeded with little upbringing and support. All we can do is encourage our older children to make the best choices. As youth, we best direct and teach them by making most of their choices for them. Remember, "The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother."[1] We are not to leave our children to their own devices; we are to instruct, lead, teach and discipline them relentlessly. Never stop encouraging, no matter what the age or status in life. Praise your children for jobs well done. Instruct them patiently when they perform poorly. If they are wise, let us rejoice. If they are foolish, let us not lose hope.
[1] Proverbs 29:15