Article September 12, 1994 Issue

Roots and wings

Wendy Louise Stevens

Long ago I bought a stitchery kit with the following message: "There are two lasting gifts we can give our children—one is roots, the other wings."

If we think of "roots" as the foundation that supports all one's activity, we will pay close attention to how our children establish the roots, or foundation, for their lives—what examples are set for them, how they think about themselves and others, what they value and appreciate. We will want to guide them in developing moral and spiritual values that reflect an awareness of their relationship to God and recognize the security and strength of roots planted in spiritual ground.

If we view "wings" as the freedom to develop unlimited potential, we will strive to instill in our children a spiritually based trust so deep and fearless that they will respond to each challenge in life with the same expectation of success as a toddler who eagerly takes a few steps at a time until walking becomes a natural part of daily experience.

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