Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 AMP

We have eleven kiddos on the ground to date and not one of them is like the other. Similar in ways, but different as night and day in sleeping, eating, ears and feet.

Early on, I thought we had it figured out with the first three. First came the girl, then the little man, and then baby sister. That bunch was the main “gang” the longest and it appeared the girls were very much alike and the boy was just…all boy!

But as the other tribe members graced us with their presence and we had more variety, man, did we see the unique flavors in our crew.

That’s when we discovered this version of a very familiar proverbial nugget. The light bulb came on and we got on our knees for some “guidance.”

It appears that we all have certain gifts that bend us toward a divine purpose that was established before we drew a puff of air. I still find the thought rather staggering.

Needless to say, as we began to guide and direct the members of our family in the way we believed to be in line with their “bent,” life made more sense and would-be struggles became worthwhile investments in the future.

So if you’ve got little tiny tots, spend a bit of time with the Originator of the design and see what He had in mind. Then start applying what you get. If your kiddos are up and at it, no worries, you can still see who they really are on the inside. Ask God to give you a little light so you can encourage them rightly.

And for those whose have grown and gone, it’s not too late to speak what you see. Yeah, maybe you didn’t know this stuff when they were growing up, but God did. He will show you things about your child even when he or she is old and grey. And it still applies. With God there is no such thing as “too late,” as long as there is this phenomenon called time!

So, there’s nothing wrong with you…you came bent toward perfection!