There are three parts to training up a child successfully in their gift. I will explain the first part today. The work begins before your child is born. The scriptures say in Jeremiah 1.5 “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” We must begin praying for our children’s gift to be revealed to them and us (their parents) so we can encourage them in it, while they are yet in our womb.
My prayer for my children has always been, “Lord, please reveal my children’s gifts and talents to them and us (Jonathan and me) so that we can encourage them in it.” I started praying this prayer while our oldest, Julia was in my womb. The Lord has answered my prayer. God has revealed our children’s gift to them, Jonathan, and me. Once God reveals your child’s gift to you, it is time to move on it.
Begin encouraging your child to practice their gift or gifts. A lady from my childhood church once said “I used to be able to sing a lot better, but I didn’t use it. If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. She was referring to the gifts placed inside each one of us. I believe this to be true as well. The longer you go without practicing something, not only do you not get better, but you begin to forget what you already learned.
I was just speaking with my sister-in-law about this very thing, she believes this is happening to her son. By the time my nephew was three years old he was amazing on the drums. He would practice all the time; before breakfast, throughout the day, before bed time. There family situation has changed, he is in school full time now and my sister-in-law is back to work full time. With the new changes, he doesn’t have a chance to play as often as he once was able too. My sister-in-law believes he is not as good as he once was on the drums.
I can tell that she doesn’t want his gift to go to the way side, no loving mother wants their child’s gift to go undeveloped. The amount of time your child spends practicing their gift is not as important as making sure they practice it. If there is only a few moments each day make the most of those few minutes. God will bless every effort we put into training our children and helping them to find their purpose.
It is important that we speak life over our children. Tell your children how gifted they are and how great they can become in time. Our children develop a sense of self worth and self-esteem from US, their parents. If we aren’t pointing out what they are good at or telling them they are and can be the best, no one else will.
We only have a few years before they will no longer be interested in what “mommy and daddy” think of them. Soon they will care more about what others think of them, even more so, if they do not know who they are or what they can become later on. The phrase, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything” is a true statement. We have to encourage our children by telling them what we see in them, we must give them purpose.
Along with encouraging your children by word of mouth, you must pray for them. You are not the only one that can see your child’s gift. The enemy can see it too, and he works through people. We have to pray for them against the attacks of the enemy. God knows the plans he has for them and us. The bible says in Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Remember, if we don’t encourage our children, we leave them susceptible to anyone and anything willing to say a word of encouragement. Why do you think gangs are so popular? The kids see them as “family.” Be the family your children need!
www.christianhomeschoolhq.com challenge: Take time to make a list of the gifts you see in your children. God has given all of us gifts (see Ephesians 4:7-8). Say one positive thing to your child today. If you are not accustomed to telling them what they are good at, that’s okay! Take it one day at a time. Meanwhile pray and ask God to show you how to encourage your child in their gifts.