Train Up !

Photos by Stephen Cullo

It appears that now as we are at the tail end of raising our children, people are starting to ask us parenting questions. (Parents like to see how your kids turned out before they seek your advice.) Lisa and I have had an amazing experience as parents and have loved each and every stage of our four children's development.... no lie. We have been blessed to raise four children that love each other very much. I am blessed to watch them consistently express love toward one another with words, time, and affection.

We recently had a parent-child dedication at Columbus Road. This was a time for our church to remember the vital role parents and churches play in the development of our children. The parents covenant to provide a home in which Christ is the center and the church family covenants to support the family unit through prayer and Godly living. Our church family is so dialed in to the intentional discipleship of our youth that these moments of covenant are the gateway into that process.

I was recently asked by a parent how I would handle a situation with his child if I were him. I carefully and slowly responded. Parenting requires wisdom from God...and looking at each situation from a broader perspective. Each child is different and there are no cookie-cutter answers. Training is key to parenting. Oftentimes conversation is what is needed more than anything. So, I expressed to the parent that his child was much like him and suggested that he look at the situation through the eyes of his own childhood. Behaviors and responses often modeled by the parent unknowingly. This proved to be the gateway into resolution to the situation. The Bible states in Proverbs 22 :6,

"Train up a child in the way he should go, 

Even when he is old he will not depart from it."

I want to thank Stephen Cullo for supplying the pictures for this event, as well as the majority of blog posts I have written over the past couple years. You are the best!!!