August 12, 2010
Last week I shared that God is watching His children grow and mature, like a Master Gardener. Isaiah 61:3 calls God’s people “a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor” and Isaiah 60:21 God says we are “the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands.” I described our Heavenly Father as a “garden walker,” as one who lovingly examines young hearts and lives to see what is sprouting, how well things are growing, if weeds are competing with His good seed, and if the bugs of sin and distress are causing harm.
I suggested that we as adult mentors, parents and teachers are responsible for placing good seed from God’s Word in children’s hearts, always attentive to signs of new spiritual life. We also have the privilege of protecting those young spiritual shoots, placing pots of seedling lives into the green house of God’s love and care.
Today let’s focus on the uniqueness of our children, and how they are well-known to their Creator Master Gardener, who is able to place the right plant in the right place at the right time in His garden. God knows our children better than we do, and He knows what they need to grow into fruit-bearing plants that will bring glory to Him. I am very sensitive to the fact that what works for one boy, and what is good for one girl, may not be suitable for another. Beware the temptation to adopt formulas for raising children from books or even other parents. An advantage of Heartland’s smaller class sizes is the personal, individualized attention that can be paid to each child under our educational care. I think that this approach mirrors the knowledge and attention that God offers to each one of us, and our children, with our unique needs, challenges, opportunities and potential fruit.
Just as plants grow at their own rate, I have seen children, even from the same family, develop in their own time and pace. Radishes and lettuce are fast in the garden. Potatoes and corn take longer. Some plants like hollyhocks take two years from seed before they blossom. We do not expect tomatoes a week after planting, nor do we lift up squash leaves and expect to find beans. In the same way, we need to be aware of the special gifts and abilities of each of our children, not expecting to find the same rate of growth, maturity or spiritual fruit in children who their Creator made by unique and purposeful design.
Needs of children are also unique, just like certain vegetables and flowers. God knows that some boys and girls, like a vigorous young vine, need extra support. Other children, like tender crops preferred by bugs or easily battered by wind, need special protection. Some children, like a grape vine going wild, need the discipline of vigorous pruning if they are going to someday bear good fruit. God the Garden Walker knows these things, and He will share those insights about our children if we will listen.
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