Thursday, July 20, 2006

Nature or nurture?

Because I had only one child, it has been an education to see how different Maddie, Ella and Sam are. Sometimes it as if they have come from different families. Maddie is soul-sensitive; Ella is tender, but aggressive; Sam just sits and watches what is going on around him. Who knows what he will be like--his "boyishness" is showing up early, however.

Watching Sheryl and Brandon nurture these different personalities is enlightening.
I wonder where did they learn how to handle each of them differently without showing favoritism? While the red in each child's hair may be from nature, the character is certainly from nurture. I watch Sheryl teach each child how to love and care for others (friends, baby dolls, Sam, etc.) and know that the girls will grow up with a great heart for God who loves and nourishes us to the infinite degree. Watching Brandon juggle attention to each one equally is heart-warming. He is a very giving and watchful father, as is the God he worships.

I till take nurture over nature any day.

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