“Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won’t depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6, CEB).
 
     I spoke with a parent yesterday who minutes earlier left the kindergarten classroom after dropping her daughter off to school for the first time. Her tears reflected both the pain and pride she felt as her child took this major step toward independence. The emotionally charged transition denotes a season of hope combined with a deep sense of loss.

     Your Tango recently published Tavia Wade’s personal experience of sending her twin daughters to kindergarten. Having witnessed the tearful parting between parent and child on previous occasions, the girls’ teacher gave Tavia a heartwarming poem to quell the mother’s anxiety. The note read:

         I give you a little wink and smile as you enter my room today, for I know how hard it is to leave and
         know your child must stay.
 
         You’ve been with them for many years now, and have been a loving guide, but now, alas, the
         time has come to leave them at my side.
 
         Just know that as you drive away, the tears down your cheeks may flow; I’ll love them as I would my
         own and help them learn and grow.
 
         So, please put your mind at ease and cry those tears no more, for I will love them and take them in
         when you leave them at my door.
 
Life can be cruel. People can be mean. Sending our children into the world at large is a daunting task for any parent.
 
     For these reasons alone, it becomes vital to have other responsible adults at hand to protect, nurture, and guide our little ones through the challenges they will face. The Proverb above tacitly stipulates that the growth of our children relies on the contributions of many positive influencers outside of the home. Of course, no teacher, caregiver, or coach can replace the role of a parent. Yet God expects every adult to love and lead the next generation toward a model of living that emulates the life of Jesus.
 
     God is recruiting the likes of Sunday School teachers, nursery workers, babysitters, confirmation mentors, and after school tutors to help parents “train our children in the way they should go.” The African proverb claims that it takes a village to raise a child. Personally, I am convinced that it takes a wholehearted commitment from the entire faith community. Future generations are counting on us.

     Too many people today are lamenting about the direction our society is heading. Yet complaining about the world’s troubles does nothing to fix them. What is needed are people who aspire to become trouble shooters. As the saying goes, you can be part of the problem or part of the solution.
 
     The question is: what part will you play?