Giving Our Children Roots

DEVELOPING ROOTS

Developing roots is essential to the growth of a tree—to any plant.

Last summer I took a few cuttings from a fig tree in my daughter’s yard.

Following Google’s advice, I made mini hothouses from 2-liter bottles and filled them with sandy soil. Then I simply poked the cuttings down into the soil and watered them well. They made the ten-hour trip with no problems.

At home I placed these cuttings on my sunny patio while they HOPEFULLY developed roots. Weekly I watered and fed them.

I hoped, prayed and waited for them to develop roots. Then I could plant them in the best place so they could grow and bear fruit.

IT’S THE SAME WAY WITH PARENTING

When they are tiny we do everything we can to prepare them to grow into amazing people who love God and serve others.

We plant our children in the best homes, the best day cares, the best schools and churches we can.

We give them nourishment and water physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

We do our best to help them succeed in school, with friends, in life.

We tend them carefully and lovingly.

We pray over them.

THEN, WE WAIT.

We wait to see what character they’ll develop, what decisions they’ll make in life, what paths their careers will follow, how they will or won’t love and serve the Lord.

I’m sad to say my cuttings didn’t take root. I’ll try again next summer. I’ll remember the mistakes I made and do better next time.

I’VE LEARNED THAT WE CANNOT “HOT HOUSE” OUR CHILDREN LIKE I DID MY FIG CUTTINGS. IT DOESN’T WORK.

We can provide all the encouragement and guidance and discipline we know how to provide.

We can pray over them and for them and with them.

But ultimately, they become adults and make their own choices.

Meanwhile the BEST thing we can do is pray for them and with them. Then, we must turn them over to God’s hands. We hope they are developing the right roots. We pray they accept Christ and grow in the Lord.

And we wait.

Psalm 92:12

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;