Tomorrow's Heroes

Letter/Lesson #10

Dear Member,

Monday Mornings

I read somewhere that over 90% of all working people in the United States dread going to work on Monday mornings.  I don’t know if that’s true or accurate, or just how anyone came up with that figure.  This I do know—in my own life I’ve never had a job that I looked forward to going to on Monday mornings.  (That is, before my ministry with Tomorrow’s Heroes.)   Very few of the many people and friends I know view Monday mornings with anticipation or excitement.  Ever notice how many people are so happy on Fridays?  Sure they’re happy because Friday means one more day of work and then a couple of days of freedom.  But two days later the drudgery starts all over again.  I think this work-rest-work cycle might be the source of the term “rat race.”

Who Are the “Happy Monday” People? 

If 90% of working people hate to go to work on Monday mornings, that means 10% love (at least enjoy) going back to work each week.  Who are these people?  I’ll tell you who they are.  They’re the folks who have a calling, a burning interest, or a passion for the jobs they perform as they earn a living for themselves and their families.  My wife Linda and I wanted our child to be one of those few, blessed, fortunate, “happy Monday” people!

Really, Very, Very Career Smart  

No wonder one of the requests of my “waiting room prayer” was for our child to be really, very, very smart concerning his life’s work.  I prayed for him to choose a great career, one that he would love, so he could anticipate and enjoy going to work on Monday mornings.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5) 

Yes, God did indeed answer the career part of my “waiting room prayer.”  As I wrote in my initial presentation to you, Jon chose a career that he truly loves, and he looks forward to every working day, including Mondays.  And so can your child! 

How Will Your Child Discover and Know…

• which career or path to choose that will hold such a personal passion that he or she can’t wait to begin work every morning?
• whether to work for a company or to form his/her own?
• the answers to a multitude of questions concerning life’s many complicated choices?

Thinking Back 

First, let me point out that the areas we’ve covered in all of the prior letter/lessons have been on purpose.  On purpose Linda and I trained Jon to “go the way” of pursuing excellent spiritual and physical health and “to go the way” of receiving an outstanding education.  We definitely knew “the way” Jon should go in those areas, and we purposefully made choices to accomplish certain goals.  On purpose we utilized strategies that we’ve shared with you so you can use them on purpose—combined with your own loving, parenting skills— to raise a really, very, very, smart kid in those same areas.  By this time and on purpose you’ve probably gone on to other areas we haven’t thought of in which to apply the principles of Proverbs 22:6. (“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”) 

However, finding a career that Jon would have passion for and take pleasure in was an entirely different matter.  How could we know “the way he should go?”  Or an even better question, should we choose “the way he should go?”  I believe the answer to the last question is absolutely not!  Many, many parents have chosen their child’s career, but after entering the parent-chosen, parent-pushed profession, the now-adult child became one of those 90% who dreaded going to work on Monday mornings, probably miserable and possibly unproductive.

What’s the Answer? 

The answer is to utilize the power and truth in Proverbs 22:6 to train your child how to discover for himself “the way he should go” concerning a career, according to God’s perfect will, rather than you making choices as you did in other areas of your child’s life.  That’s what we did, and God gets the glory!

THE FOUR STRATEGIES

(Oh, So Simple!  Oh, How They Work!) 

 

STRATEGY #1

“Be anxious for nothing!” 

This is the most important strategy you can implement to help your child discover “the way to go.”

Back To Letter/Lesson #4

Under the title “Ongoing Fruits Proving the Power of Proverbs 22:6—After Law School—,” I shared the following father-son conversation:

“Dad, even before knowing the results of the law exam, a prominent Dallas law firm has offered me a position.”  I just listened.  Jon went on to say, “This firm is one of the most prestigious law firms in the country, but I don’t feel I should take their offer.”  He continued, “I believe I need to form my own law firm.”  I knew he wasn’t asking for my permission, so I just kept listening.  He went on, “Most people would think I’m crazy trying to go into my own business without getting some experience, saving some money, and building up some contacts, much less turning down an offer that most law graduates dream of.”  Feeling I should say something at this point, I blurted out, “Have you told the firm that you’re going to decline their offer?”  He told me he had.  I asked him about their response.  Jon said one of the partners asked him why was he thinking about doing something so obviously stupid?  Jon told him through a great deal of prayer he felt a tremendous peace and that starting his own firm was what the Lord wanted him to do.  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)  The partner then told Jon to go see a psychiatrist as quickly as possible.  But what that lawyer didn’t know, wouldn’t hear, and certainly couldn’t understand was the Lord had given Jon a plan.  It was a plan that would lead Jon to become one of the most successful lawyers in Texas.

At an early age we trained Jon to “go the way” of prayer so he could find the way the Lord wanted him to go.

Please train your children when they are very young to discover how to talk to God and to continue that discovery/self-training as they grow.  (Letter/Lesson #2 contained information about the beginning of this process.)  By doing so, you will guarantee that your child will be led to an enriching career, one that he/she will be passionate for and take pleasure in.  As a working adult, your child will be eager and anxious to get to work to see what the Lord has in store for the day!

No telling how many times Jon has relied on Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God,” to tell him “the way he should go.”

Then comes the confirmation—“and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:7) 

And then the assurance—“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15)  

STRATEGY #2

Train your child to “go the way” of faith and receive the peace that “surpasses all understanding.” 

Through Faith

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  (Hebrews 11:1)

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”  (Hebrews 11:6)

“and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ.”  (Philippians 4:7) 

I remember asking Jon how he studied for tests and finals, especially those in law school.  He said he kept up with his subject material on a daily basis.  He went on to say that on the day before an exam he reviewed for a couple of hours, prayed for the Lord to help him do his best, and then got a good night’s sleep, confident that the Lord was paving the way. (By the way, trusting the Lord is the greatest remedy for stress—period!)

Jon shared with me that a disturbing number of his fellow students crammed for exams for several days and nights, drinking alcohol, doing other drugs, smoking cigarettes, and living on junk food.  The sad thing is, not one of those students had to suffer like that.  And how did the “cram formula” prepare them for tests later in life?

Recommended Reading

Nothing takes the place of you and your child reading the Bible on a daily basis, discovering God’s truths and directions.  But there are also excellent Christian writers whom God has touched to share His truths with you.  One such writer is Germaine Copeland.  She is the author of a book called Prayers That Avail Much.  In the introduction she writes, “This book in no way should replace the time you spend meditating in God’s Word and seeking His direction.  Instead, it is designed to enhance your ability to pray effectively for specific needs.  Never forget the power of prayer, for it is the very foundation that enables us to go from faith to faith and glory to glory.”

I strongly recommend the leather edition of this book as an enhancement to your daily Bible readings.  The ISBN number is 1-577794-263-9.  This book covers prayers for all types of situations and needs.

STRATEGY #3

Pay Attention! 

Letter/Lesson #9 also included a strategy entitled “Pay Attention.”  Relating to homework and studying, it stated, “As your child starts to play or gets interested in things, pay attention.  Develop the focus to pay attention to anything and everything your child is interested in, especially things and activities he or she really loves to do.”  Then I went on to share how you could use this focus to “train up” your child to “go the way” of achieving an excellent education.

Well, the same strategy relates to training your child how to choose a rewarding career.  When your child is talking well, especially at the age when he/she starts asking ten thousand questions, develop the focus to pay attention to all (yes, all!) of those questions. Instead of just ignoring the questions or being annoyed by them, thinking they’re “kid stuff,” start trying to answer them.  God may be talking to you and your child!

Here’s the key in determining how interested your child is about the answers to his/her questions.  Pay attention to each question, no matter how many, and make an attempt to answer each one, just like you would if it were from an adult friend.  Take these questions very seriously, because some of them and your answers will help lead your child to choose his/her life’s work.  It will be a career he/she enjoys and finds exciting, and it will be one that’s pleasing to God.

It’s simple.  The questions your child isn’t really interested in knowing about, the ones that just pop up in his/her mind, will be evident and can be dismissed once you attempt to answer, especially if you go into depth or detail in your answers or explanations.  For example, let’s say your child asks you how many fish are in a particular lake.  Focusing on this question you answer, “I don’t know. How about you and I go to the Parks and Wildlife people and ask them?  Or we could go to the library or look on the Internet.”  I can assure you if you child is not interested, he/she will say “No, that’s okay.”  Then you can both move on to the next question.  But let’s say when you suggest the two of you inquire at Parks and Wildlife, your child thinks that’s a great idea.  The experience both of you will have at the Parks and Wildlife Department could plant the seeds that lead to a great career for your child, one that he/she will be passionate about and look forward to every workday!

Questions, questions, questions that we’ve heard (and tried to answer!):

• What makes airplanes fly?
• How can a flock of thousands of birds turn in so many directions without flying into one another?
• Why are there men and women doctors?
• How can a bumblebee fly?
• What makes a plant grow?
• What makes cars go?
• How many stars are in the sky?
• Since fish live in the water, why do they smell so bad?
• Does chocolate milk come out of brown cows and white milk come out of white cows?
• In New Mexico does the sun rise and set in the same direction as in Texas?
• Why does Grandpa say, “Jon, whatever you do, don’t be a lawyer ‘cause there ain’t no lawyers in heaven?”

Questions came out of Jon like a rapid-fire machine gun, only faster, and they will from your child, too.  So be prepared and pay attention.  The answers to a few of these questions will be very important to your child.

Remember, God may be talking to you and your child!  Who knows, except God, what His will is for your child?  It may be for your child to be a stay-at-home mom, an accountant, the president of a bank, a doctor, a nurse, a law enforcement officer, a lawyer, a mechanic, or….

An Idea and Scriptures from Another Parent

“I believe the right direction lies in the interests and aptitudes God has instilled into my child, and these must be discovered and enhanced.  I also believe God does not designate an exact job, career, or profession.  He can manage very well without my son or daughter being a teacher or a fireman!  I think the bottom line is that in our life’s work God must be glorified.  We are to honor Him, give Him glory, and reflect Jesus in our efforts and attitudes, in our relations with others, in everything we say and do.”

“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”  (Proverbs 16:3 NIV)

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”  (Proverbs 3:6 NIV) 

STRATEGY #4

Just Ask!

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) 

After discovering areas of interest, passion, and skill in your child, you and your child can start to visit people whose careers are in those certain areas.  (This may not be advisable until your child is age six or so; you’ll have to be the judge.)  Discover why people chose their particular careers, how they like their work, and if they look forward to Mondays and why.  Remember, God may be talking to you and your child, so listen as well as ask.

(Hint:  If you know a professional you believe would be good to talk to, fine.  Just call and ask if you and your child can come by and visit.  If not, you might call and ask for the person’s email address and email your request for a visit.)

Strategies #3 and #4…

are strategies that you and your child can use to help discover the gifts that God has given your child.  Remember, God may be talking to both of you!

Strategies #1 and #2…

will tell your child how to use these gifts according to the will of the Lord.   And when a person is doing the absolute will of God in his or her life, he/she will look forward to Monday mornings!

The Most Frequently Asked Question

The question I hear most from parents involves time, or rather the lack of it and where to find it.  Parents say, “It’s very hard to find the time to train our child.  My spouse and I work so hard and so many hours at our jobs, we just don’t have time to spend with our child the way we should, especially in any sort of training process.”

Every working parent understands the frustrations of trying to find quality time and the quantity of time needed to train and enjoy their children. Time passes; children grow up. There’s no slowing down or stopping time or the process of your child’s growth and development. There’s no way to make more time. There’s certainly no going back in time and doing the things you know you should have done.

A Fishy Story

Do you remember the fishing story in Letter/Lesson#9? I know it probably sounded fishy, but Jon actually asked me to wait while he did his homework before going fishing after school as I’d planned. It was a beautiful spring day, and I was so excited about a fishing trip with my son. Jon’s was a high school senior and already knew his final grade, so this delay for homework seemed crazy! But when I realized this was proof positive of the power of Proverbs 22:9 in Jon’s life, I was even more excited and so very grateful. I prayed, thanked God for this great blessing, and cried! This one small incident revealed to me that everything we’d done toward training Jon “in the way he should go” was absolutely worth it.

Pray, Prioritize, Plan, and Persevere

The time you spend training your child with purpose will bring rewards and joy that are beyond belief and understanding. May I encourage you to pray, prioritize, plan, and persevere about time with your children. The stakes are as high as they get. There will come a time when any opportunity will be gone.

A Promise from God 

After reading and absorbing the initial presentation and the ten subsequent letter/lessons, you’ve discovered how simple it is to apply Proverbs 22:6 to your child’s life.  (“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he grows old he will not depart from it.”)  Pick a core area essential for your children’s well being when they’re grown, such as spiritual or physical health, and train them in that direction and to that end.  Or, as in the area of choosing a career, guide your child to discover and to learn “the way he or she should go.”  It’s that simple; it not only works, but it’s a promise from God that it works for the rest of your child’s life! 

By This Time 

Since I first started sending you the Tomorrow’s Heroes Letter/Lessons, I’ve concentrated on the core areas from my “waiting room prayer” regarding our family, but that format is soon to change.  The difference will be a shift to include many other families, their thoughts, stories, experiences, and lessons learned while “on the job.”  God is always working through His people.  My intention is not to overwhelm you or burden you, but to inspire you with ideas from other parents who have grabbed onto the vision of Tomorrow’s Heroes and who want to share with other families. You may feel that some of these ideas or areas don’t apply to training your child.  Maybe they will simply inspire or encourage you to ask God what areas He would have you pursue and work on.  So please send us your stories!

Moving On To the Next Letter/Lesson 

The next letter/lesson will focus on sharing with you what a mother on an airplane saw; what a mom and dad saw at a car wash; what another dad saw while fishing on a lake; what one mom saw while making beds at home.  What these people saw dramatically changed their perception about the way they were raising their children.  I want you to see what they saw.  Trust me, it will energize you beyond belief!  Your child is now walking and talking or soon will be.  Hang on to your hats—and breakables of all sizes, contents of cabinets, keys, pens, papers, silverware, etc. and enjoy the exercise!  If you would like to receive future Letter Lessons by email, please fill out the form below:

Until then, please email me at [email protected] with any questions, comments, thoughts, or suggestions you may have.

God bless,

Paw Paw

P.S. You may want to print this and future letter/lessons to form your own “Tomorrow’s Heroes Library” for you and your family.  Beyond this, you may want to consider adding your personal notes, thoughts, and insights to customize this program to fit your family.

© 2022 Tomorrow’s Heroes

 All rights reserved.

Edited by DC

Unless otherwise indicated, Scriptures quotations are from

the New King James Version.