"If a seed of lettuce will not grow, we do not blame the lettuce. Instead, the fault lies with us for not having nourished the seed properly." Eastern Proverb

A quick thought: The attitude towards children today seems to be opposed to this wise nugget. We see the tantrum throwing toddler or the wayward teen as a "bad seed:" "He is such a difficult child" we say. Or, "That's just the way he has always been."
Instead, perhaps we should examine how much nurture that seed received. This is a very difficult thing to do; indeed, isn't it easier just to lay the fault on fate...("that's just how he is")? Undoubtedly regret will follow when the parent reflects back to discover that things truly could have been different.
Let those of us whose seeds are still young take heed. Let us nurture them with God's love, cultivate them with the tools of discipline, and water them with the Word of God. With all the influence God has given us in our children's lives, let us set to the plow of rearing our children. What a harvest we will reap at the end of our days if our children rise and call us blessed!

Related Tags: Children, Child Raising, Parenting, Nurture, Nurturing