Invest in Training – See. Perceive. Act
As we address routine, former procrastinators, let’s take a look back at some posts that fit the start of the school year – but have application anytime.
Growing up, early evening at my cousin’s house was “peaceful fun.” When my uncle came home from work, he and my aunt relaxed in their chairs; he read the newspaper, she did needlework. My cousins moved to the kitchen and completed the dinner preparations my aunt had begun earlier in the day. When dinner was ready, the girls called the family to the table.
Once when a lady was visiting and observed what was going on, she made the comment, “You’re so lucky to have girls like this.” My aunt responded, “Lucky nothing. I worked hard to make these girls like this.”
My aunt had trained her daughters. Her point was not that training was hard, but that training was required. Training may be hard at times, but not training is harder to live with in the present and the future. My cousins were not born eager to work in the kitchen. However, routinely working alongside their mom, the girls learned to work independently and cheerfully. The reward was good for parents and daughters. The reward lasted many years longer than the training.
When we help our children learn to use routine to their advantage, we help develop excellent life skills. It’s worth the investment of time and energy. Persevere. Habits I did not see take hold while one child was at home, I now see in the adult. God is faithful. He uses our small but consistent efforts.
When training, we adults can ask the Lord to help us see what is needed by a child. What is the goal? What are his bents? How much is he ready to learn? We ask the Lord to help us perceive the best way to instruct. We act, teaching by showing him as he observes; then we work alongside him, and when the time is right, we release him to do the job on his own. We teach feeding the dog or driving a car this way. We also teach the value of routine this way. He observes what we do, hears our instruction, works with us, launches out on his own. Students can set up the most effective study schedule and methods for themselves, do their laundry on “their” day, etc.
Whether it’s how to read scripture and pray, use thoughtful manners, make biscuits, or mow the lawn, it’s worth it to invest in training our children. When it comes to routine, they learn a skill that carries over into every area of life.
What routine are you training your children to use?
