The Path That Stays With Them
Point your kids in the right direction— when they're old they won't be lost.
Proverbs 22:6 - MSG
When I was a child, I thought like a child. I acted like a child. I was a child, and while my life as a child started in the church, it didn’t stay there. My parents did their best to teach me how to live a Christ-like life, but I chose to live the life of “The Prodigal Son” for many years. The good news, however, is that the early training from my parents during my childhood never left me and many years later I finally came home to God.
You know, for parents everywhere, there is something very important to know about how children react in those early years of their lives. While they may not instantly show it, their hearts are soft, their minds are open, and their spirits are ready to receive whatever direction we gently place before them. The Message Bible puts it beautifully: “Point your kids in the right direction—when they’re old they won’t be lost.” It’s a reminder that the way we guide them today becomes the path they walk tomorrow. But there’s a catch that many of you are already aware of.
Just because you point them in the right direction does not mean they are going to walk in that pathway. This verse is simply not a guarantee that a child will never wander or struggle. Rather it’s a principle of wisdom — a truth about how God designed growth to work. When we sow good seed, the good Seed of God’s Word, early in the child’s life, we often get to see good fruit later. When we model kindness, integrity, prayer, worship of God, and love to them, there’s a better chance that those patterns will settle deeply into their hearts. Even if life pulls them in different directions, yes, the wrong directions for a season, the foundation remains.
That Hebrew word “train” carries the idea of dedicating, initiating, or starting a child on the right path. It’s active where you are engaged in walking that path with them at an early age. It’s intentional because you make it a point to show them the ways of the Lord. It’s relational because you are showing them the way you yourself interact with the Lord. And it’s never about perfection but about presence. It’s the steady rhythm of showing them what a godly life looks like, offering loving correction, and speaking wisdom into their days. This way they have a good idea of what their adult lives are supposed to look like.
And for those whose “prodigals” are still out there, away from the path that’s meant for them to walk, there’s hope tucked inside this verse. What you pour into a child now has a way of echoing into their future. Long after they leave your home… Long after they face their own decisions… Long after they walk through seasons you cannot control… the path you helped them find will still be there, quietly calling them back.
It called me back, and I’m grateful…
Prayer
Father, thank You for the Truth of today’s verse. Thank You for drawing me back. Help me guide others with wisdom, patience, and love. Give me the strength to model the kind of life that points others toward You. Let the seeds planted today grow into a lifelong walk with You.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen...
For Continued Reflection
If today’s devotional has been a blessing to you, you’re welcome to explore a few related resources that may further support your quiet moments with God. One of these is “Devotional Booklets for Your Journey With Him,” a collection of downloadable, Scripture‑anchored booklets designed to help you stay rooted in God’s Word throughout the week. You can find them here.
