PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

February 21, 2024

TRAINING UP THE CHILDREN

Lurking in the fringes of the story of Moses in the Old Testament one can find the imprint of his sister Miriam.  She watches over him after their mother places a basket to hold him in the reeds by the river and then suggests to Pharaoh’s daughter that she ask their mother to be his nurse.

When David was still a young man he stepped forward to defend the honor of not only his nation but also his God when no one else would accept the challenge of Goliath.

Mary was very likely no more than thirteen or fourteen when she gave birth to Jesus.  When the angel Gabriel informs her of the coming birth, she responds, “Here am I, the servant of the lord; let it be with me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

When Jesus asks his disciples to feed the crowd which has gathered to hear him preach and they find it impossible to carry out his request, it is a small boy who steps forward and offers his five barley loaves and two fishes.  As a consequence of his generosity not only was everyone able to eat, there were twelve baskets of the fragments of the barley loaves left over. (John 6:1-15)

Twice I was reminded of these episodes the first weekend of March.  Most of Saturday I read questions for the Rotary State Quiz Bowl which was held at Ancilla College near Donaldson.  In spite of a total lack of knowledge of how to pronounce the names of operas, one of the students was able to discern the correct answer from my garbled reading.

Twenty-three high school teams from across northern Indiana competed in three classes.  Those of us who were helping were blown away by the depth and breadth of the participants’ knowledge.  They exhibited the same enthusiasm and passion that you would find at any high school sporting event.  Their coaches were as engaged as any basketball or football coach.

Sunday evening Diane and I attended a concert by the Indiana University South Bend Chamber Choir and Chorale at the Plymouth First United Methodist church.  The event was a part of the yearlong celebration by the church of their 175^th anniversary.  For ninety minutes the young people did an outstanding job of lifting our souls and spirits with their marvelous renditions.  “My bonnie lass, she smelleth”  by P.D.Q Bach was a special audience pleaser.

In the Book of Proverbs we find, “Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray.”  (Proverbs 22:6)  Her early training helped Miriam be an advisor to Moses on the Exodus.  David’s early training prepared him when he was elevated to be the king.  Mary’s upbringing in Nazareth helped her be the mother of the Son of God.

The students Saturday morning and Sunday evening are not only learning facts and how to sing, they are learning important life lessons that will serve them well the rest of their lives.  Every day I read in the local paper stories of children and young people learning how to do things the right way.  In the future these lessons will provide the foundation they need to be successful.

(This article was originally published March 24, 2011.  Comments may be sent to davidh15503@embarqmail.com.)