Cultivating Children's Souls

Recently, the morning glory outside my kitchen has given me quite a lot to think about. A good gardener will tell you that sometimes a vine will grow where it is not wanted. Tediously and deliberately, I have trained this vine to grow up the trellis and along the guide ropes to higher places.

My children are so much like this morning inspirational vine. They don't just accidentally turn out as mature adults with strong character. All children, even ones as darling as mine, have selfish tendencies and attitudes. Daily dedication to the task is needed to help them along in their journey from immaturity to maturity. It takes purposeful guidance and patient assistance for our children to blossom and grow in strength. Children who are not taught to respond in love to hurting people will not naturally be compassionate for others. Personality differences will become permanent hindrances if children are not guided in how to properly handle conflict. Unmet expectations will lead to hurt, frustration and anger if children are not instructed that these obstacles can be overcome. I desire to be a consistent cultivator of my childrens' souls.

"Blessed are the children whose mothers garden in the soil of their souls. The fruit they bear will not only serve them in the future, but a whole generation will be beautified and enriched." Sally Clarkson, The Mission of Motherhood

As the Morning Glory to the Trellis

A dear friend challenged me today to dwell on this word. "Cling - (Def.)To adhere closely; to stick; to hold fast, especially by twining round or embracing; as, the tendril of a vine clings to its support; -- usually followed by to or together."

The morning glory vine outside my kitchen window keeps climbing higher. Each day, the tendrils cling more tightly and weave their way around the support. The green leaves wave in the breezes, but are not moved because of the anchoring of the vine to the trellis. A fresh and new blossom appears every morning to welcome the day.

How like this plant I want to be... ever climbing higher ... blossoming new every day... not affected by the winds because I am secured to my supporting trellis. ~ My soul "CLINGS" to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:8 ~

Words of Life

It's not a new idea or concept.... But every once in a while I need to be reminded that speaking my mind about something is NOT a good thing. This past week, I had a wonderful reminder of how important it is to think before I speak. In my selfishness, my way seemed to be the right one and those around me seemed to be wrong. Of course. I felt the "need" to speak my mind!

Thankfully, I chose to stop and think before I spoke. It was early morning and I was sitting out on the back deck contemplating all the things that needed to be said. As always, James had another idea about how I should handle the situation.

"The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."

"The wisdom from above is first pure, then peacable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."

"Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing... these things ought not be so."

"We all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able to also bridle the whole body."

"Mercy triumphs over judgment."

"Do not speak evil of one another.... Who are you to judge?"

After reading all these thoughts, thankfully, I wasn't so ready to speak my mind.