Harriet: Grandmother's Training That Endured - Black Church (Proverbs 22:6)

In the heart of the 19th century, amidst the fields of Maryland, a young girl named Harriet Tubman was not just a child; she was a vessel of God’s purpose, steeped in the rich tradition of her ancestors. Each night, as she lay under the vast canopy of stars, she would listen to the voices of her grandmothers, echoing the wisdom of Proverbs 22:6—"Train up a child in the way he should go." These words were more than mere advice; they were a lifeline, a call to nurture a spirit unyielding even in the face of unimaginable oppression.

Imagine Harriet, running through the woods, feeling the crisp air against her skin, the distant sound of the chase behind her. But what propelled her forward wasn’t just her legs—it was the generations of training from women who had gathered in brush arbors, their voices raised in prayer and defiance. They taught her not only how to navigate the treacherous paths to freedom but also how to hear the gentle whisper of God in the rustle of leaves, guiding her step by step.

Every grandmother who wrapped her arms around a child, every mother who toiled in the fields, was imparting wisdom that transcended time. They instilled a sense of dignity, a truth of identity that said, “You are worthy; you are loved.” This training was a survival guide, a map leading through the wilderness of dehumanization, all while holding onto the promise of shalom—peace and wholeness.

When Harriet successfully led her people to freedom, she demonstrated that this generational wisdom was not just about escape; it was about setting the captives free—body, mind, and soul. She embodied the very essence of Proverbs 22:6: when we train children in faith, when we root them in their worth, they will rise like eagles, soaring towards their divinely ordained destinies. This is the legacy of the Black Church—a hope, a joy, and an unbreakable bond that we carry forward, each one of us a testament to the training that endures across generations.