Yes, You Can

(Proverbs 22:6 KJV)  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

How long do we need to wait to find out if we did good raising our children?  I will admit that I am looking for some straws to grasp that tell me I have been successful in life.  So far I am satisfied with how my children have turned out, but how long do we need to wait?  Notice that it says “when they get old (2204)”  The NASB sticks with variations of “old” but the KJV goes even farther with some use of “ancient”. 

On the frustrating side it says that I won’t be around to find out the end of the story.  I think of my uncles who did not come to the Lord until after their father had died.  On the encouraging side it tells me that it is possible to do it right.  We can lay the groundwork for the next generation.

So?  Today I am encouraged.  It seems to be working in our lives and the lives of our friends.