In Hebrew, there is a wonderful word: chanak. It has two etymological roots. The first refers to setting in motion, guiding or helping to discover. It’s in “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6, ESV). This passage evokes the divine and precious call of every parent to develop his or her child in the path that God has chosen for that child.
I am not talking about leading your child to the path you wanted in your youth. Don't seek to live your dreams vicariously through your children. Instead, accompany them in the discovery of their future with love, respect and a listening ear. Don't force your child to take the path that seems to work well for their sibling or other children. Refuse to compare your child to anyone else. Your child is unique, and God has a unique path and purpose prepared for them.
The second root of the word chanak was used to describe the palate. ‘Doing chanak’ could be translated “putting a finger on the palate.” This refers to the tenderness of a young mother who tastes her baby's food in order to create in him the desire to taste it too. Chantal and I are a respite home for young mothers who are going through difficult times and need help. We were taking care of a beautiful little girl who was about three years old. Faced with her blatant lack of interest in any vegetable, Chantal practiced chanak. “Mmm! It's so good! Do you want to taste it, my dear? It's so much better than candy!”
The little one, under the spell of my wife's undeniable theatrical talent, repeated, "Mmmm!" It's good, Grandma!” She ended up eating the entire plate of vegetables.
Training up a child in the way he or she should go could just as well translate into giving your child a taste for walking in the paths that God has created for him. The Bible says, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Psalm 34:8). Our responsibility is to give them a taste of the presence of God, his Word and his heart. As a father, I want my life to impact my children and leave them hungry and thirsty for all the riches and blessings of an abundant life in Jesus.
Claude Houde is the lead pastor of Eglise Nouvelle Vie (New Life Church) in Montreal, Canada. Under his leadership New Life Church has grown from a handful of people to more than 3500 in a part of Canada with few successful Protestant churches.