Plants and Parenting

I am famous around my household (among all 4 of us - that is, if you include the dog!) for being the grim reaper of all things green and leafy. I can't resist walking through a garden center and dreaming about how lovely certain plants would look in the window seats in my kitchen. John likes to bring me back to reality by humming the funeral march or telling the plants to "run away while you still can!" It's not that I intend to kill the plant. In fact, I always tend to go through some sort of strange mourning process whenever one is gone beyond possible rescuscitation. As we speak, I have 5 corpses spread out among 2 window seats. I keep them because if I dare get rid of them, it would be an admission that I have failed. Yet, the evidence staring at me as I eat my meals daily reminds me that I served as an inadequate host for these poor, beautiful things. I was inadequate because I chose to rely too much on myself. I, alone, am not sufficient to meet the needs of these plants. They need water, appropriate sunlight, pruning, plant food. My knowledge in these areas is clearly lacking! And, my desire to have them as a thing of beauty in my house is not enough. I must be an active participant in their growth and maturity.

In the same way, my desire to be a good and Godly parent is not enough. I have written before on humility, and I am slowly coming to realize that being responsible for a tiny being will remove any sense of pride I may have in myself or my abilities. Please understand, I do not mean I am shamed, I simply mean humbled. Yes, I can meet her worldly needs. I can feed her, clothe her, bathe her, shelter her, school her. (But, I dare say, with no condemnation or pride intended, that this can be done apart from a relationship with a heavenly Father.) Yet, how do I even attempt to meet her spiritual needs when I myself am shamefully inadequate?

How do I raise a girl to be kind and compassionate when I can be impatient and mean?
How do I raise a girl to care for others when I can be self-centered and selfish?
How do I raise a girl to have no self-righteous pride when I can be haughty and condemning?
How can I possibly raise a girl to overcome these and countless other flaws when she is confronted with them in person daily?

How do I raise a girl who values herself in a world where modesty and purity are not in vogue?
How do I raise a girl who builds others up in a world where it is customary to tear others down?
How do I raise a girl who seeks to know the one, true God in a world where "all roads lead to God?"

I am truly beginning to understand why we are called to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Thankfully, God equips me, even in my inadequacy. James 1:5 says that If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. Amen and amen! I am not on my own; God provides.

I am looking over in the window beside me at the plant that I have had the longest. It is some sort of ficus tree, and as any ficus is, I am told, it is quite persnickety. Lately, I have begun a renewed effort to care for these plants. My efforts have been woefully inadequate, but, blessedly, my God doesn't call for perfection, simply faithful commitment. And, though there have been many days where it wasn't pretty, so to speak, I now can see evidence of life and growth again. There are many green, leafy branches where before there were only dry, brown twigs. I know that God will likewise bless our parenting. Everyday will not be green and leafy, but each day we commit to being Godly parents, each day we commit to seeking wisdom from Godly sources rather than from the world, we can rest in the knowledge that we are giving her the ability to bear fruit.

Sweet Jesus, we lift up to you our little girl.

You have blessed us with a gift we could never deserve.

You have given us the chance to give you glory.

Please make us wise stewards of this gift.

We seek your wisdom.

We seek your blessings.

May our family serve to glorify your name.

Amen.