Training Up a Child

On April 30, the day our first child Michael was born, I expected my husband Andrew to stay with me and baby Michael at the hospital, cuddling and bonding. He didn’t. He went home and ran five miles in the rain. I was a little hurt at the time, but later realized why. The responsibility he suddenly felt as a father freaked him out.  Running was the best way he knew to settle down.

Ever since that day, Andrew has continued to feel the weight of that responsibility, and to respond to it. His concern for his family prompted him to change medical specialties, because he wanted to have more regular hours to be available for all of us. He is fond of saying that children spell love “ T-I- M- E.” Over the years he continued to make the choice to invest time—along with himself–into his 3 sons. With that time came many memories: late night walks with a colicky infant, pillow fights, bedtime Bible stories, front yard football, Boy Scout campouts, riddles around the campfire, birthday vacations.

Andrew has not only quoted this proverb a lot over the years, he has followed its precepts:

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Time was one of the best things Andrew gave, and still gives, our kids. But he also continues to give them something every bit as important: his commitment to learn and grow in his faith, and as a person.

Someone once said, “The best way to train up a child in the way he should go is to go that way yourself.”

Thanks, Andrew, for going that way yourself. And showing our kids how to go that way too.

Happy Father’s Day.

Love, Lydia

What valuable lessons have you learned from your father?