“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
(Proverbs 22:6 KJV)
The morning sun shimmered off the surface of the pond as little Eli crouched beside his father on the wooden dock. His legs dangled over the edge, his small hands clutched a child-sized fishing rod, and his eyes were locked on his dad’s every move.
“Why do you put that worm on the hook, Dad?” Eli asked, cringing slightly as his father gently threaded the squirming creature onto the sharp barb.
His father smiled, “The bait draws the fish, son. Without it, they won’t come close.”
Eli watched, fascinated, as his father handed him the rod. “You ready to try?”
Eli hesitated. The worm was wiggly, the hook was sharp, and his hands were small. But his father placed a hand over Eli’s and guided him gently. “I’ll help you. Just like this.”
Together, they cast the line into the water. The splash echoed across the quiet morning. Eli sat down beside his father, eyes wide with anticipation.
As they waited, his father spoke softly, “You know, son, fishing is a lot like life. You’ve got to be patient. You’ve got to be prepared. And sometimes, you’ve got to use wisdom to draw the right things in.”
Eli looked up. “What do you mean?”
“Well,” his dad said, “just like we use good bait to bring in fish, we need to fill our hearts with the right things—God’s Word, kindness, and truth—so we can draw others to Jesus. People are watching how we live, just like you’re watching me now. And one day, you’ll teach someone else too.”
Eli nodded slowly, the lesson sinking deeper than the line in the water.
Children learn by watching. Just as a father teaches his son how to bait a hook, he teaches him how to live. Every small action—spoken or unspoken—becomes a thread in the tapestry of a child’s understanding of faith, character, and integrity.
We must be intentional about the way we live and lead, especially in front of those who look up to us. Whether you’re a parent, mentor, teacher, or friend, someone is always watching. The way we bait our "hooks" in life—how we handle conflict, how we love others, how we follow Christ—matters.
Prayer:
"Heavenly Father,
Help me to live in a way that draws others to You. Let my actions reflect Your love and wisdom, especially to the little eyes that are watching me. Teach me to be patient, faithful, and intentional in everything I do, so I may train up others in Your way.
Amen."
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