Of Utmost Importance...

Anyone who is blessed with the company of children

in their day-to-day lives knows that much time is spent teaching and training!

Today's teaching moments at Janet's house included

how to crack peanuts from the shell...

(bite softly preferably with back teeth, to crack then pull apart with fingers)

how to hold on to the swing with arms when mittens are too poof-y or slippery

how to peel pomegranate...

how to draw a chicken...

how to take turns to help with the vacuuming...

The end goal of training children is a responsible, respectful adult.

The end 'goal' of an adult is ultimately,

 for better or worse, accountability to the Giver of life,

turning all training of all children into something with an eternal impact!

No wonder Solomon gives us this advice in Prov.22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go,

[a]And when he is old he will not depart from it.

How imperative it is then, 

to constantly reevaluate/reexamine 

our hopes and dreams,

to keep our priorities pure!

Four-season circuits wheel unfazed by centuries

Like chariots of gold and teal they pass through fields and trees...

Time tries our hopes and dreams

While from dawn’s lowered barge

God replenishes mercy-streams

Sufficient for the charge

…to keep, comfort and bless

With Shepherd’s staff and rod

All who seek first His righteousness

And the kingdom/sheepfold of God

Four-season circuits wheel

Unfazed by centuries

Like chariots of gold and teal/silk and steel

They pass through fields and trees

From east to west to east

A feast of shadows spills

Where want is a voracious beast

No fortune-flaunt fulfills

…while hopes and dreams arouse

A surf of smiles and tears

That roll where dust-to-dust soon bows

Beneath death’s wreath of years

How miniscule the stack

Of numbered days of man

That charge the barge that draws us back

To where we all began

How futile zeal defends

Life’s dream-bedazzled splash

If no hope at its halt transcends

Earth’s vault of dust and ash

© Janet Martin