The Potential of a Child

We recently said good-bye to our youngest child and only son, leaving him in the Tennessee mountains at a wonderful christian university to begin his college days. With 9 hours distance between us, it felt strange leaving him there. But the change was made easier by his excitement, and the “knowing” we had that we were leaving him right in the center of God’s plans for his life.

We have such hopes and dreams for our children, even before their birth. We celebrate even the little things they learn to do—all those “firsts” bring joy and excitement. As they grow, personality coming to life, we see potential for leaders, deep thinkers, those who follow and obey, and those who challenge the rules put into place.

If we’re not careful, we can begin to try to mold our children into our image of what we hope they will become. Unfulfilled dreams from our own younger years can tempt us to steer our children in a direction not meant for them. And every parent knows the temptation to step in and fix difficulties for their children instead of letting them experience struggles and work through things themselves.

One of the most important things for us as parents is to understand our children’s God-given personalities and gifts. These must be accepted and nurtured. In the twenty-second chapter of Proverbs, God promises us a blessed outcome if we apply His principles in verse 6: “Train up a child in the way he should go (and in keeping with his individual gift or bent), and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

If you are a parent, you already know that God has blessed you with the precious gift of your child. He has entrusted a life to you, and no one else can love your child and see in them the things you can see. Raising our children will be one of the biggest challenges, and most rewarding relationships we ever have in life. But we need their Creator to help guide us, strengthen us, and give us wisdom as we navigate these years we have with our children. And it is true–the years really do fly!

Which of the four personality types is your child… check out Dr. Gary Smalley’s free Personality Test at:

http://smalley.cc/images/Personality-Test.pdf