An illustration was used in our family institute class last night at church that I have been thinking about some more. The story was told about the US Olympic Track Relay team that was supposed to be the fastest in the world, but only got the silver medal because one transfer of the baton did not go as smoothly as it should have. I believe the point was that we should take the training of our children very seriously, because they are the ones that will be running the next leg of the race.
Hebrews 12:1 tells us to run with patience the race that is set before us. Could it be that our life is just one leg of the race? When will the whole race be over? How many baton transfers will take place before then? How will my leg of the race affect future legs of the race? How will my transfer of the baton affect future legs of the race? Do I have any responsibility for the leg after mine? How about the one after that? Just as this type of race is run by a team that works together, it would help us to think of our life as just a leg and our children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren as team members. The question then becomes, How can I practice (so that we can win) with my great-grandchildren? Through faith. Faith that sees them being trained in the training of your children. And faith that works out the training of your great-grandchildren in the training of your children.
This type of training is far-sighted. It recognizes that getting our children to look good or do the right thing today is not enough. It works toward inculcating a whole way of life, or framework of thinking, or worldview into our children. This worldview is to be so strong that it will make your children teach their children the same things in the same way. This is not just a smooth way of saying, “Let’s rear our children thoroughly.” It is also a biblical principle. Paul instructed Timothy this way: “the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
You Think Too Much! 
I often think this is where grandparents miss the boat. They think once they are done raising their kids, their job is complete. They still have a responsibility to their children and grandchildren to pray for them and to be a godly example. As one ‘great’ American said, “It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over.”
I really enjoyed the thought in this post. Sometimes we forget that the race is bigger than us, and that Christ might not return tomorrow. By the way, this post has good depth too. I just looked at a former grad’s blog who accuses Fairhaven of shallowness. I suppose shallow men will slander. Maybe his readers will check out your blog!
Thanks for reading and commenting. Hopefully, the posts that are intended to be thought provoking do. Of course, some things are mundane and shouldn’t provoke much thought. But, then again, some might just have a hard time with the mindless stuff also.
🙂
Fairhaven is only shallow to a shallow person. I can’t see how souls being saved and lives changed is considered shallow. I don’t know what I would have done without the godly preaching and satff my family and I have sat under the last 2.5 years. I am very thankful for that. The posts are thought provoking and appreciated. Thanks