To nourish

A couple of nights ago for our Family Home Evening activity, we decided to plant some seeds. Herbs, to be more specific, to be grown in our window sill.

It was actually a little kit I got Jacob for Christmas, as he loves to cook with fresh herbs. And it's always fun to grow things, right? So, he let us all help plant his herbs.

As I watched, I saw Aspen looking around, wide-eyed, and Sawyer, curious and anxious to help his dad with the dirt. I also saw Jacob, with a wide grin, patiently helping Sawyer place the dirt in the pots, and then sweep up the floor when the dirt spilled. He gently helped Sawyer plant the seeds (I got to help a little, too!)

We explained to Sawyer that the tiny seeds would grow to be little plants -- if we nourish them. We told him that they need to be put in a safe place, where the sun can shine on them, and that we need to give them water so they will grow. In essence, we were explaining about how to nourish a plant to growth - to reach it's full potential.

I couldn't help but look at my little children, and think about the vital role that Jacob and I play in their lives: we are their keepers and our job is to nourish them so that they, too, can reach their full potential.

It sounds easy, but in this world of ours with all it's beauty and goodness, there are so many poor choices one could make, that would get in the way of the sunshine, or block the flow of much-needed water.

Oh how I pray that we, as parents, can keep them in a good place, and give them the sunshine and the water - and the LOVE - they need to grow. May God grant us the blessing of watching them blossom and bloom.