Scars

When I was little I hated okra. My mom would get the frozen kind and heat it up with water and salt and it would get all gooey and I felt like I was eating snot. I would literally have to plug my nose and chase it with milk to get through the meal.My mom was pretty stern about eating everything on your plate. Those were vivid memories. Okra got cataloged in my brain as the one vegetable that I could honestly say I despised. Then I met my husband who is from the mid-west. Okra is a welcomed veggie there. The reason why? They bread it and fry it. Now that is more palatable.

This is not from our garden, but thought I'd throw it in so you can see how beautiful an okra plant is.

We grew it in our garden the last two summers and my kids ate it like they were M&M's....well, my kids have never actually had M&M's so, maybe they ate it more like popcorn. They seriously devour okra. (I don't deep fry them of course, but I do throw in bread crumbs to soak up the slime. Then I bake them). So I thought I was free and clear from any vegetables that I don't like...and then we grew turnips.

Jonathan likes them raw. David likes them steamed. I just don't like them. They are bitter. I tried to talk David out of growing them this winter but he insisted. So, grew them we did. In winter we keep things covered with a layer of plastic and then a layer of frost cloth. I really only had to water them like every couple of days because it would stay pretty humid and warm inside. They thrived. The leaves were full, perky and luscious. I was proud of them, if not for the taste, at least for how healthy they looked.

So, one day it was really warm and I thought "I better uncover them or else they'll bake underneath that plastic." It was late afternoon, maybe 3:30 or so. I came back to cover them around 5:30 and to my shock they had wilted. I asked David why they did that and he explained that it was too much of a shock. They were used to being protected from the wind and suddenly they were exposed to wind. They were used to humidity and suddenly they had dry air. They were used to shade and suddenly they had direct sunlight. I said, "Yeah but it was only two hours!" He said if you are going to try to acclimate them, you have to do it really gradually, like in 15 minute increments or something. 

This is what "frost cloth" looks like. You put it over 1/2 inch conduit that's been bent into an arch....or you can use PVC pipe.

The next day I was eager to see if they recovered or not. To my surprise they had perked back up but the leaves had what I call "scars". The plant survived but there was irreparable damage.

Most people just eat the flesh part that grows under the soil but the leaves are edible too. (The Smiths steam the leaves and then puree it with some walnuts, garlic and salt and spread it on toast). They think it tastes pretty good but I think I'd rather have butter on toast ;) 

I learned something interesting from all of this. It made me think of how children are like vulnerable plants. They need shelter, protection and a mild, non-abrasive environment. I've been reading a book called "Mind, Character and Personality" and I have been intrigued with how early development can affect the entire adult life of an individual.Speaking about teachers it says that they may have sufficient education and knowledge in their field to instruct, but they need more than that. They need tact and wisdom to deal with human minds. Without this they can leave upon the mind "scars and bruises that will never be removed" (1 MCP 81).  "The minds of youth may become so warped by injudicious management that the injury done may never be entirely overcome. {1MCP 79.1}  Humility and to be honest, fear flooded my soul when I read those words. How careful I must be as a mother and educator to have the wisdom to deal justly while loving mercy. I have begun to pray earnestly that I would teach my children with the Spirit and manner of the Great Teacher.

Regarding the friends children choose, it says that "injurious impressions are far more readily received by the young than are divine impressions" (1MCP 113) and "When a wrong impression is left upon the mind in youth, a mark is made, not on sand, but on enduring rock."(1MCP 114) My kids don't have many friends here to play with. But because of that they have become best friends to each other.And what one does, the other is certain to follow.

They are wearing tights so they can run around and slide on the wood floors.

I'm thankful that when we travel we can spend time with friends that I know have left positive impressions upon my children. The generosity and kindness of Savannah and Heidi in handing down their clothing to Omega has resulted in wanting to do the same for other children. They are so welcoming and affectionate too. Omega loves to go visit them.

Amber and Esther have also made a positive impression. There was a period of time when my kids would fight a lot. I focused on that issue a lot, stressing conflict resolution and honoring each other. After going to Amber and Esther's house one day, afterwards Omega says, "Mom! Do you know what? Amber and Esther don't even fight! I want to be like them!" She would even pray, "Dear Lord, Help me to be like Amber and Esther who don't fight. In Jesus Name Amen." Made my heart happy :)

Addressing  parents it says, "Fathers and mothers, be on guard. Let your conversation in the home be pleasant and encouraging. Always speak kindly, as if in the presence of Christ. Let there be no faultfinding, no accusing. Words of this kind wound and bruise the soul." (1MCP 178)

Ultimately, "Dealing with human minds is the most delicate work ever entrusted to mortals, and teachers need constantly the help of the Spirit of God, that they may do their work aright." (1MCP 81)

I may not like the taste of turnips, but whenever we harvest them, I am reminded of these great truths. For that, I am thankful.