Day 4: Your Kids Need (Good) Soil

Giving Your Kids A Healthy Environment To Grow Up In

My husband, Dave, raises tropical fruits on our property on the North Shore of Oahu in Hawaii. I am always amazed at how naturally the plants grow.

Dave has pointed out, however, that there are a few factors that are essential for us to have regular bounties of bananas, papaya, avocado, and mango (among others—anyone getting hungry yet!?).

Our plants need a lot of water (provided by daily tropical rains) and good soil, which Dave tends to with compost and care. And they need to be protected from bugs—which can be many here in Hawaii.

With these three elements in place, our plants grow well and provide us with lots of yummy fruit. However, if any of these things are not in place, then the plants will suffer, and we . . . will have to head to the grocery store. :)

Our children are much like plants (except very different, of course). They, too, need to be “watered” with love and security. They need the nourishing soil of truth from God’s Word. They also need to be protected from the many “bugs” found in this world.

Welcome to human gardening, Mom and Dad! Your job is a big one!

As parents, we need to remember that, like a garden, some elements of our kids’ lives will be outside of our control. Storms or other unforeseen issues can affect our kids’ lives and choices. Also, our kids have free will, and we cannot change their hearts; only God can.

However, if you make sure your kids are spending time in healthy environments (both at home and elsewhere), and you protect them from bad influences the best you can, then the chances of them growing up well are very good.

I like to compare parenting to gardening using a greenhouse. Like tending to a greenhouse plant, we thoughtfully protect and nurture our kids until we observe that they are strong enough to incrementally face some of the outside “elements.”

We give them more freedom as they prove responsible. This isn’t based on an age or grade, and it especially shouldn’t be based on what their friends are doing. We are the gardeners, tending to our kids as is best for their health so that one day they will be ready to thrive independently!

You might want to take some time to consider the “environment” your children are currently growing up in. Are they thriving—spiritually, mentally, and physically?

Where might you need to make some adjustments? Consider which “bugs” are trying to take your kids down. Are there influences in your child’s life that are affecting their well-being?

FURTHER READING: PSALM 1

Prayer: Thank you, God, for our children! Help us to provide a healthy environment for them to grow up in. Forgive us for any way we have neglected to nourish or protect them. Help us to provide our kids with everything they need for a healthy life, and to protect them from the influences that can harm them. Give me wisdom to do this job of parenting well!