Plants Growing Up

From the time one becomes a parent, older, well-seasoned parents and grandparents admonish us to enjoy these days...they go so fast.

Even as the mom of babies and toddlers, I recognized the swift passage of time. I watched in awe as my babies grew and discovered the world and developed new skills. But time only accelerates from there...

Each year seems to pass more quickly than the last. In the blink of an eye, that formerly "little" boy has gone from Legos to bass guitars. Our oldest son's looks have changed so much in the past year. He no longer has that "baby face" of his youth. He now has the face of a handsome teenager. Every once in a while, he flashes this smile that looks exactly like the cheesy grin he made when he was a little guy, between the ages of 3 and 5. When he does this, my mind flashes back to his little boy days, and I'm reminded that the little boy I cuddled on my lap is still in this big-boy body that's taller than me. And while I used to encompass this little guy in a hug, it's now his taller frame and arms that encompass me.

Our school year is coming to a swift close, and I'm simply awed at the growth in each of our boys over this past year. My heart overflows with gratitude as I consider how God has taught them and further developed their interests and passions.

As I mentioned, our oldest son has taken to playing the bass guitar. I've never in my life seen him go after anything with such determination and enthusiasm. Let's just say it's a huge departure from his piano-playing days when I had to bribe him to practice! He practices practically non-stop...and has the callouses to prove it! Last night he and a buddy played three songs at our Homeschool End of Year Program. It was a joy to my heart to see him using his God-given talent to bring honor and glory to the Lord.


Our middle son has always had an insatiable interest in animals...their care, their habitats, their life cycles. While we've had pets, my husband and I had grown convicted that we really needed to provide additional opportunities for our son to work with animals and grow in his knowledge of them. So it was with great excitement that he began working with a friend of ours on a Llama farm this Spring. He worked with her a couple Saturdays a month, feeding and cleaning up after the llamas and calves...and playing with the kittens. Life on the farm is a dream come true for our son, and it's been a joy to watch him grow in knowledge and confidence as he learns to care for God's creation.


As our third son finishes up third grade, we're still seeking to wisely discern his specific interests. The most obvious is his desire to be with people. I'm sure that's reminiscent of a third child...he's never been alone his whole life, so it just stands to reason that he loves being where the action is. His personality also closely resembles my husband's...he's funny without trying, he's comfortable in social settings, he doesn't mind being up in front of people. As an 8-year-old, we're praying that God will continue to develop these traits in our son and use them to further His Kingdom.

Father God, just as the trees are budding and their leaves are unfolding outside my window, I thank you for new growth in our boys. There are days when it seems like nothing is happening; days when our hearts can become weary by an apparent lack of growth or understanding. But I thank You that You're at work beneath the surface; that these tender young plants are developing a root system that goes down deep and will one day stand as mighty oaks. Continue to capture their hearts. Help us to cultivate their passions and interests in a way that is pleasing to You and helps to build the Body of Christ. We thank You for the privilege of nurturing and discipling these amazing young men for You.