When I look at a newborn child I see the same intriguing mystery. We have no idea what this child will grow up to look like, what kind of temperament it will have, and what decisions this child will make to become the kind of person it will ultimately become.  

I personally believe that each child has it's own God given "bent" that it is born with. The "bent" is neither good or bad, it just is. What we do with that bent, and understanding it, is critical to the well-being of the child, as parents, and as participants in the child's life. If we constantly try to change that bent because it is not like our own, we will cause great trouble in the child's life and in our own. If we accept that "bent" as Special, and God given, and learn to accept and relate to the "bent" within the child, we will raise that person to be a beautiful, colorful, vibrant contribution to our home, town, and world.  

One of the important things to remember is that just like the flower bulbs, you cannot judge what the child is really like by just looking at the outside. You cannot open it up and see the flower on the inside, you would destroy it. The bulb grows into a flower after allot of planting, soil, water, and time. At the beginning stage we need to wait with great anticipation and excitement as we watch carefully for the opening up and developing of that flower. It will not grow on its own very well. The same thing is true of individuals around us. We need to take special care of them, giving love, acceptance, and encouragement, realizing that God doesn't judge them until life is all over and neither should we. We can make a difference in their lives. With proper care we can see the results of the positive "bent" come through. But we have to keep in mind that their "bent" or difference, is God given and is not good, or bad, it just is. The problem is that many individuals have not been cared for properly or lovingly. Their "bents" have not been understood and cultivated with understanding care. We have a hard time seeing their beauty. They have grown up without the proper soil, water, and light. The majority of time, just trimming back the weeds, fertilizing the soil, and proper watering, can help restore the flower and make it beautiful and productive again, even if it appeared to be dead. Maybe it will be next season before we see the results, but the brilliance can still there again.  

As we come into this new Spring season, try with me to remember to look at those around us, in our families, at our places of employment and in our everyday lives, and notice the potential beauty in them, giving them loving care, understanding , and encouragement, to help them all grow to be all they can be, and make our own worlds, beautiful gardens to enjoy. What a wonderful world this would be if we all gave unconditional love and accepted others God given "bents" as beautiful treasures to cherish and cultivate.