Children Grow You Up
Children grow you up – that was one of my mother’s aphorisms. Entering into the challenge of rearing children, we take on one of the most powerful forces for personal growth that we will ever be given. But it is not easy. Last year, I took care of my brother’s family while he went overseas for medical treatment, with his wife. At first, I messed up and almost wrecked myself but then I found a better rhythm – both for the children and for me.
Last Sunday’s parable, The Parable of the Sower, Mt 13:1-23, should really be called the Parable of the Seed. It about how the Kingdom of God grows in the lives of people. You can read it as being about how parenting makes you grow – or not. There are four scenarios: three ways growth fails to take place and one in which it flourishes. Simply put, I summarise them as distractions, life too hard, life too easy and the right balance. We can fail to grow in our parenting if we allow ourselves to be distracted by too many things. We can fail to grow in our parenting by allowing our children’s needs and wants to dominate our lives. We can fail to grow in our parenting by taking it too easy and not being involved in their lives.
Growth will take place within us when we give parenting its rightful place in our lives. Occasionally we need to stop and reflect on the balance we have in our lives with regard to our child/ren. This is the place where God wants to meet you and give you the love and wisdom you need. God wants to parent you and through you your children. Take the time to stop, reflect, pray and accept the wisdom you will be given.
Loving Father, you know how much my child/ren mean to me. Send me your wise Spirit that I may have a good balance in my life that fosters growth in them and in me. I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me.
Sr Kym Harris osb