"A child's life in some ways is like a block of wood that is not only rather plain but also rough, knotty, and in need of much work. The job of a parent is to take the piece of wood and chisel away that which is wrong and shape and mold that which is right until the proper image is left on the child. That image, if we reach the Biblical goal, will be the character of Jesus Christ. " S.M. Davis

May we never weary in well doing ( the molding of our children's characters) for we shall reap a harvest in due season if we faint not. :D

[amenamen]

What a great word picture! [thankssign] Thanks for the encouragement!

True! I like that!

thanks for the encouragement to keep pressing on. . .after the hundreth time of correcting a behavior it gets frustrating. I was just telling someone the other day that children come with no store house of good and right behaviour and responses- that's what we're here for. It helped me more to say it I sure.

Thanks for sharing that encouragement with us. So true!

[thankssign] I needed that!

My dh has often said that a child is more like a tree. As its growing it has the potential to be wonderful but if not pruned, or checked when necessary it can grow out of control and be disruptive, over growing and blocking out all the sunshine for the other trees. I like to recognise the good traits and look at the child as a whole. And while its my responsibility to teach my child about God, I actually feel like its God who molds them. More often than not He uses my child to teach and change me!!

And while its my responsibility to teach my child about God, I actually feel like its God who molds them. More often than not He uses my child to teach and change me!!

I agree. We are just the pruners in His hands. And YES...more often while pruning them, God is pruning me! It is so awesome! :D