Poetic Inspirations and Practical Applications for Blissful Living

Children Come First

Children Come First

Guest Post by Dr. Traci Elizabeth Teasley

 

 

Children come first. 

 

I have had the good fortune of working in several large school districts, and I wish I had a dime for every time I heard this mantra. I could supplement the budget shortfalls of quite a few school districts with the proceeds.

 

 Children come first. Do they really?

 

 I do not recall, and I have a pretty fierce memory, having explicit conversations about children coming first in any of the school districts where I used to work.  What actually would “children come first” look like?   How would we administrators know we were putting them first?  What criteria would we use?

 

We, meaning those of us entrusted with the lives of children (that would be you!), have to be explicit about what it is we want for our children, naturally and spiritually.  It doesn’t just happen.   This is why God in His infinite wisdom led Solomon to write the word “train” in Proverbs:

 

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.

 

To train is to teach, to guide, and to prepare.  It is our responsibility to do whatever we can to prepare children to be who God originally created them to be.  So, how do we do that?

 

In addition to ensuring that our children can read, write, think and speak intelligently, we must spend just as much time, if not more, in developing their skills for walking purposefully with the Lord.  All children need to know how to:

 

  • Read and understand the Bible.
  • Apply scriptures to daily living.
  • Communicate with God through prayer.
  • Put God first in decision-making.
  • Love and serve others.

 

Each of these foundational skills will give our children what they need to seek God’s face for their purpose, now and later.  My parents put just as much energy in my natural and spiritual growth, and I have been richly blessed naturally, from Head Start to Harvard, and spiritually, as a vessel sanctified and meet for God’s use, because of their instruction!

 

Children learn what we teach them.  So, what have you taught our children lately? 

 

Dr. Traci Teasley

Dr. Traci is a disciple of the Mt. Gilead Full Gospel International Ministries in Richmond, Virginia. As a servant of the Lord for over three decades, Dr. Traci has faithfully served in various leadership capacities in the local church, such as: Sunday School Teacher, Worship Leader, Choir Directress, Gospel-Cise Aerobics Ministry Team Member, Economic Empowerment Team Assistant Overseer, and Christmas Production Actress. Dr. Traci has dedicated her life to developing her spirit, soul, and body and relishes the opportunity to encourage others to do the same!

 

To further advance His Kingdom, God has blessed her to earn degrees from Duke University (Durham, North Carolina), North Carolina State University (Raleigh, North Carolina), and the Harvard Graduate School of Education (Cambridge, Massachusetts). Dr. Traci is a fierce advocate for children and youth who are neglected and underserved and has worked in senior-level positions in various urban school districts.

 

Dr. Traci is forever committed to spreading the joy and love of the gospel of Jesus Christ, training believers to lead an intelligently spirit-led life, fulfilling God’s mandate in Ephesians 4:12-13 (NRSV) “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God.”

 

☼ Join us as she shares how to inspire children from “Head Start to Harvard” Wednesday, September 18th at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time viahttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/purposeful-pathway-radio/2013/09/18/dr-traci-teasley-headstart-to-harvard
☼ Enjoy all episodes by subscribing to the #PurposefulPathwayRadioshow episodes on iTunes via https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/purposeful-pathway-radio-blog/id648359451?mt=2

 

☼ As always, if you cannot join live you can enjoy the archive: www.PurposefulPathwayRadio.com

 

Purposeful Pathway Radio is the haven for faith-based entrepreneurs. It is a journey in which faith and business gracefully intertwine. The guests on the show share insights for faith-based business; they will also share inspiration from their spiritual journeys. My hope is that, in listening, your businesses will grow and your lives will be enriched. My prayer is that these personal messages will allow God’s peace, love and joy to pave your purposeful pathways!