As Plants Grown Up

“Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones,
polished after the similitude of a palace.”
Psalm 144

     There’s a secret place in our garden  known intimately by slender damselflies, basking in the sun’s warm rays. Where delicate orange and white blossoms lie nestled among the foliage, and Japanese beetles engrave fancy lacework designs on broad green leaves. It’s a plot of land where the plants have grown up sturdy and strong on antique wooden frames – an enchanted patch of garden, lovely to behold...      

     My husband unearthed two old bean trellises hidden under layers of hoses and lumber in the grain barn this spring. Constructed out of true 2 by 2's, they were most likely built by the tenant farmer who lived here many years ago. I liked the faded aqua-blue color, but Robert wanted to spruce them up, so he and Elizabeth painted them white. I sowed bean seeds around the middle of June, and the first of the seedlings emerged a few days later. I planted bush beans at the same time, and we have harvested three basketfuls of beans from those plants already.

    In comparison it seems like the pole beans have taken a long time to produce. First the new sprouts timidly reached for the bottom rung of the trellises, and then little by little they began the upward assent. For two months they inched their way to the top rung and slowly bushed out –
twisting and tangling themselves together, until they could climb no higher. A few weeks ago my husband and I noticed that there weren't any buds on the plants. No sooner had we

made that observation when the flowers seemed to form overnight, and yesterday I found slender young string beans secretly hanging under masses of dark green leaves. Finally, after being exposed to the elements – just the right amount of sun and rain – and multiple visits from buzzing bees, the long anticipated moment has arrived. The fruit is ripening and a bountiful crop of string beans is springing up in our garden. Home grown beans can't be compared with those tin tasting things that come out of a can; they’re a culinary delight, in a class all their own.

       I've been pondering how much my 15-year-old son, Eric, is like those tall pole beans reaching for the sky. In some ways, Eric, now 6’ 2”, was a late bloomer. He was a quiet little boy and when he did talk it took him forever to formulate a sentence. He could easily lose someone's attention as he tried to articulate his experience. It pained me to see people turn away as he struggled to find the right words to express himself. I don't recall exactly how old he was when he verbally took off, but we haven't been able to shut him up since. I remember how Claire and he would sing nonsense songs – real tongue twisters – so fast it would make your head spin. Anyone who washes dishes with Eric knows that he talks, sings, or makes NBN’s (necessary boy noises) the whole time, knowing he has a captive audience. Many times I’ve had to say, “Eric, pleeeeease be quiet and wash the dishes!”    

    When Eric was younger he taught himself to yodel by listening to old Roy Roger’s radio programs, and he was really good (I’m not just saying that because I’m his mother). He was worried that he might not be able to make his voice break in the higher octaves when his voice changed. Sure enough, it's been nearly impossible. But last night when he and the little girls were playing outside, he began to serenade us with selections from The Irish Tenors in concert. Although I believe he's a baritone, he's able to sing the majority of their songs with ease–brogue and all.

     Yes, some children are late bloomers and there’s nothing you can do to speed up their growth. You can make their lives miserable by trying, but prayer will accomplish more then all the poking, prodding, and nudging you might try in order to get them to produce. You have to nurture and cultivate your child’s strengths and giftings – over time – and time is your greatest commodity. Be patient with your late bloomer and don’t pressure him to perform. Study your child and discover what his learning style is, and the method of teaching that will produce the best fruit. Most of all love him where he’s at. What if you gain the whole world of education only to lose your child’s heart?     

    I have been really enjoying Eric's company this summer. The other night we ran out to the store (scandalously late) to buy cream for my morning coffee. Of course, I had to buy him a Whopper at the Burger King drive-thru at 1:00 a.m. in the morning. It doesn’t take much to make a teenage boy happy. Just say you need to run an errand, bring your debit card, and hit a fast food joint on the way home, and you’ll be the best mom around. There’s nothing sweeter then to hear an appreciative son say, “Thanks mom for taking me to Taco Bell!”

    Sometimes I wonder who this wonderful person is, and what he will accomplish for the Lord, a young adult who is not afraid to be seen checking books out at the library with his mom, bagging groceries with her at Aldi or shopping with her at garage sales. Other boys his age wouldn’t be caught dead with their mothers. But Eric is in a class of his own. I treasure our time together, and I know he does, too.

    It’s like comparing garden fresh green beans with canned green beans. You can either grow your own in the right elements (Deuteronomy 6:4-9*), or let someone else’s idea of what education is supposed to look like be your model. It comes down to one simple question. Which kind of child do you want to produce, home grown or canned?

    My daughter Claire and I are honored to be a part of the TOS’s publication, Homeschooling the Highschooler. I highly recommend that you read it, even if your children are little. It will give you the confidence and vision you need to teach your children all the way through high school, allowing them to become sturdy and strong in their faith, as plants grown up and corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace!”       
   

*“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

8:17 PM - Sep. 2, 2006 - post comment

Again,

God has used your gift to speak to my heart. Wow.
Hey, I just noticed that I have been negligent in asking you if we can be friends in blogdom. I would be pleased to list you as a friend and share you with others!
Thank you and thank you. Your words inspire me.
Peace,
Janet (visit my blog at The Heart of the Home)
Visit the Military HomeFront Support Our Nation

theheartofthehome - 12:19 AM - Sep. 3, 2006

Once again....

...you've spoken to my heart, dearest sister! Our children are ever so wonderful, and oh, so fragile, just as your beautiful beans are. And when we plant them in the good ground of our homes, water them with the Word, and allow His light to shine on them, they will reach their tendrils toward the Son, and grow higher and higher in His glory. I cannot understand anyone wanting to send their child to public schools today, although my sons went there. It is only by the grace of God that Robert has remained faithful to the way he was raised to be, and is such a blessing to me. I am keeping your wonderful family in prayer regularly, that they would all continue to be blessed by your teachings and example. You are a treasure worth more than rubies!

cynthiarobin - 3:12 AM - Sep. 3, 2006

Beautifuly written...

as usual! Thanks for a much needed reminder.

DreweLlyn - 4:05 AM - Sep. 3, 2006

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I too can identify with those plants who don't grow at the same rate as the others. I think often how much damage would now have already been caused by "school" to my 6 yo son, who is "behind" in his speech. He can read at a 3rd grade level, but has problems putting together sentences. But what a joy he is, if you take the time to look! Thanks for putting it so lovingly.

mrskbrook - 5:41 AM - Sep. 3, 2006

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Absolutely beautiful, lovely, and captivating!!! I felt the tears forming as I read about your son and I thought about my 5 year old son who takes a while to complete his thought also. I think about how I love having him home and not out 'there' where no one cares more for him than I do.

Thank you for sharing. This has brought about such sweet, strong emotions in me and I feel God all over what you wrote.

Keep sharing as the Lord leads u...u do bless me.....

deidra

Anonymous - 5:54 AM - Sep. 3, 2006

This is just great, Jill

I love the photos, and the whole analogy is perfect. I don't want my kids to be canned! Only home grown for me.

I can relate to the NBN's (that cracked me up.) We have a lot of NBN's around here on Saturday mornings, when Dad is home! The house is full of them. As much as it drives me nuts at times, I do love my boys dearly.

My almost 12 year old son will hold my hand when we are in public. He is a treasure. He had me by the hand making me run with him the other day, and it was so funny. I don't run as fast as I used to. :) But seeing him bloom, in God's timing is such a blessing to me.

My other little guy who just turned 8, can be like a bull in a china shop. But he can also be very sweet and is very quick to pray when necessary! He can also stick to a task that some would have abandoned very quickly.
I love seeing what God is growing them to be.

Wish we could have that cup of coffee together.......

Nancy

ByHisGraceInColorado - 6:54 AM - Sep. 3, 2006

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Very inspirational post! I love your analogy of the canned green beans (I, myself, can't stand them)!!! I have four boys and a noisy husband -- you can imagine the NBN's around here! LOL

Thanks for sharing . . .
Dianne

homeschoolhelp - 12:38 PM - Sep. 3, 2006

Jill,

First of all I want to tell you how much I like the cover of your book as your background.

But, most of all I want to say that this post is great. My son, Josh, is also 15 and 6'2". He started talking the week his sister went to visit Grandma many years ago and he hasn't stopped since. He can never figure out why everyone tells him to be quiet. And his heart is bigger than the ocean.

Yes, we need to be patient. We wouldn't ask our garden plants to hurry any faster than their time, would we? It's his big sister that needs to hear this the most. thanks for giving me a word picture to help me explain this to her.

underhiswings - 9:29 PM - Sep. 7, 2006

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