“She’s such an angel! I hope my child will turn out like that.”
I’ve heard that sentiment from several people referring to a certain young lady. I understand why parents want their children to be like her. She is truly an exceptional person. She excelled academically, graduating at the top of her class. Honors are commonplace to her, not just because she is talented, but also because her work ethic is impeccable. She often burned the midnight oil and studied while others played.
But what is most impressive about her is her spiritual depth and maturity. She is as sweet as Hershey’s chocolate and has a heart of gold. She’s the kind of daughter every parent wants to have. The kind you hope your son marries.
Would you like to raise a child like that? I think I know how you can. The secret is recorded in her memories.
She told me once how her mom and dad taught her the story of Esther from the Bible by acting it out with her Barbie dolls. She recalled a mother who read Bible chapters and prepared detailed quizzes on them so that the child could read the chapter and be tested on it after school.
When she reminisced, her description of her parents oozed with admiration. She remembers being at church every time the doors were opened. She lists the ways her parents have always been actively involved in church, the hours and dollars they’ve given to support what they believe.
Even recounting spankings, her memories are pleasant. Punishment was meted out calmly with careful explanation. It was followed with hugs to reassure her that, though she had done wrong, she was still loved.
Why am I sharing this girl’s memories? Because I believe they illustrate a timeless parenting principle from God: “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Good training for children produces well-trained adults.
Yes, there are exceptions. Some who come from good homes still make bad choices. But the principle stands. It worked in Solomon’s day. It worked in the life of a man named Timothy, who “from infancy” had been taught the holy Scriptures by his mother and grandmother (see 2 Timothy 1:5 and 3:15). It still works.
If you want your child to be a little angel, take the time to teach her about God’s angels.

A Word from Williams Road is provided by the Williams Road Church.