WHO WILL WATER?
There is a question all parents long to ask the world:
Will you water the seeds?
The seeds we’ve planted in the garden of our children’s hearts. Seeds of identity, value, belonging and worth - will you water them?
It is a question I find myself asking the world.
When you interact with my child, will you speak value into him, will you convey worth, will your actions confirm identity and belonging?
Will you water the seeds?
I’ve spent years planting them, given much of my time and heart to see them grow. In the younger years I held hands and bodies, played games and built forts, routinely stopped what I was doing to bend my attention toward the common call, “Watch me, mommy, watch me!”
I have things to do, son, but you are more valuable.
Seeds planted.
As they grew, seeds were scattered during the midst of activity, trips to the library, the park, the pumpkin patch, the grocery store. “I’m so thankful I get to be your mom,” was often spoken, words that likely passed over young ears but hopefully sunk into young hearts.
We have places to be, son, but you have incredible worth.
Seeds planted.
In the middle school years the sowing of seeds became words of belonging, discussions around the dinner table, family outings and shared experiences. When the winds of adolescence threaten, planting seeds means drawing close, linking arms, building relationship.
Your world is changing, son, but never question that you belong.
Seeds planted
These days I cheer, listen, support, and as needed, sit faithfully in silence. In these grown years it is often presence, not words that speak, “I’m proud of you,” and so I stay available - in the early hours and the late ones, after the good games and the bad ones, in the happy moments and the sad ones.
Life will not always be easy, son, but you have what it takes.
Seeds planted.
I have spent their lifetimes planting seeds and wishing my water alone would be enough to cause sprouts and full growth. But as every parent knows, the truths we speak and breathe over our children only burrow so deep if not confirmed by a trusted other.
And so again we find our hearts asking, will you water the seeds?
I am so thankful for those who do.
Thankful for coaches, teachers, mentors, leaders, family and friends, all who have given themselves to see my children grow. Love a woman’s child well and you secure a place in her heart - I’m thankful for those who will forever hold a place in mine.
And in the end I’m reminded we all have the power to water seeds, we are each the answer to another parent’s hopeful question.
Who will water the seeds?
I hope we all will.