SEEK DIVINE GUIDANCE

Truly, the training of a child from infancy is a challenge, but believing parents do not have to face the challenge alone.  Back in the days of the Judges, when a man name Manoah learned that he was going to be a father, he asked Jehovah for guidance on raising his child.  Jehovah answered his prayers. -Judges 13:8, 12, 24.

In  a similar way today, as believing parents raise their children, they can also speak to Jehovah in prayer. Being a parent is hard work, but there are great rewards.  A Christian couple in Hawaii says:  "You have 12 years to  get your work done before those critical teen years.  But if you have worked hard to apply Bible principles, it is time to reap joy  and peace when they decide they want to serve Jehovah from the heart."  (Proverbs 23:15, 16)  When your child makes that decision, you too will be moved to exclaim:  "Sons [and daughters] are an inheritance  from Jehovah." 

Next time: HELP YOUR TEENAGER TO THRIVE, CHAPTER SIX

From the book: THE SECRET OF FAMILY HAPPINESS, 1996