It takes time to 'point' or 'train' or 'teach' our children the truth about God and how to live within his rules while they are growing up in a world that doesn't always follow God.
When my daughters were young, #1, I was their mother and #2, a friend. Some days they didn't think I was too nice, I was mean and they didn't like me.
Maybe I didn't buy them what they wanted or allowed them to go where they wanted. But, we also had fun over the years like playing in the woods creating Fisher Price People scenarios in the brook or sending Barbie dolls floating through the pipe under the road, Laura on one side and Bec on the other waiting for them to pass. (I believe there is one stuck in the pipe in the middle of the road to this day)
I tried to take the time and effort to teach my kids about God and what he expected of them. My knowledge was limited, but I knew the basics and now I see my daughters applying those principles to my grandchildren.
At children's time in church, Natalee, my granddaughter, had the story box.
When her gift was taken out by Pastor Doyle, I wondered how she would react as she's only 1 1/2. She was a trooper and let it go willingly. My grandson, Nicholas (age 5), at the end of the story said (loudly said) to her, 'Thank you for sharing, Natalee'. I thought, wow, that's my grandson saying that, on his own volition, as a praise to his cousin. In his child way, he lifted her and he encouraged her and that is a God rule.
The best thing we can give a child is our time. The more time we give, the more we can teach God's principles to them. And when I see it passed from my child to my grandchild or grandchild to grandchild, I know I trained my kids they way God wanted me to.
Nancy