Stand Before Kings

Proverbs 22:29 (NAS)

Do you see a man skilled in his work?

He will stand before kings;

He will not stand before obscure men.

     Before my children were even born, I-like many others-had dreams of what they might become.  I wanted these bundles of potential to reach their highest heights.  Proverbs 22:29 reminded me that being skilled at your work, no matter what you do will result in recognition and praise from others.  Each of my bundles of potential has been gifted by our Creator with talents that need to be discovered and developed so that they can be counted among the skilled in their field.

     How do we discover these divinely bestowed talents?  Be watchful.  There is often physical evidence.  Are their math pages full of doodles?  Do they write so much that you're considering the purchase of a forest?  Do you trip over their latest Lego or K'nex creations while trying to kiss them good night?  Many times their gifting is literally right in front of your nose.

    Maybe you won't see it, but you'll hear it.   Your child may sing everywhere and anywhere, including in the bathroom.  He may want to play that new instrument much longer than he is required and even longer than his siblings or you care to hear it.  His talents may become evident as you converse throughout the day.  One of my sons discovered a pattern for squared numbers and shared it with me during our normal school day.  The more I listen, the more his God given gift for engineering becomes apparent.

     Sometimes we don't trust ourselves to recognize our child's talent.  We may find the affirmation we are looking from others who observe our child.  Upon meeting my young son, a professional performer noted his talent for acting. I was flabbergasted.  It took him all of ten seconds to see what I have known and sometimes denied for years.  Which brings me to my next point, what if our child's talent doesn't fit our personal bias?

    I never prayed, "Lord Jesus, please gift one of my sons with the ability to act so that he might know hunger...Amen."  We don't know how the Lord will choose to use each talent that is given.  Who are we to stifle the uniqueness of our child given to him by the all-knowing, perfect Creator.  God did not make a mistake when he gave Kirk Cameron the ability to act.  An actor can even become President of the United States.  No, let us not let our personal biases hamper the work of the Lord.  He is sovereign and what He wills will stand.  Will we take an active part in it?

     Now that you may feel a burden on your heart to develop your child's talents, here are some suggestions for following through.  Pray about it.  Pray that you will see the opportunities before you and choose wisely.  Pray that you will be at peace if you can't "afford" lessons at this time.  If this is from God, it will not fail.  Trust His timing.

     Give your child the resources he needs to develop his talents at home.  This may be reams of paper, a butterfly net, clay, or simply books on the subject of interest.  (Never underestimate giving a child a book that really holds his interest. This may have the added effect of increasing his reading skills quickly.)  Be sure to keep these special supplies on hand.  Lessons are great because it's easier to assure consistent training, but much can be accomplished informally at home.  In fact, if this is your child's special gifting, he will usually have the desire to put in time developing it.

     He may want to spend endless hours doing whatever it is he loves.  Great!  However, it will also be your job to help him balance his education.  You may find he has to exercise more self-discipline to learn subjects that don't come naturally.  This will become part of his character training. 

     While it's important to encourage his talents, don't become obsessive.  Whether it be football or chess, dance or robotics, don't push so hard that they lose their childhood.

A great Scripture to remember to stay in balance is "Whatever you do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." Col. 3:17

     And remember, even though this child may one day be distinguished enough to stand before kings, he is still, today, a child.