Nurturing Wholeness

Today's post is a reflection stimulated by my oldest son's 17th birthday and on the role of nurturing in the development of an environment which supports his growth and development. In other words, his movement towards wholeness.

Now, since he is a teenager, his world is pretty toxic. He's surrounded by people only interested in themselves, who are looking for the next "big" thing, who just want the newest technology, and who could care less about something like identifying their brokenness and working to heal that; and then there are all the issues with his peer group! ;-) How difficult it is to counteract the messages that bombard him. To show him that there is something more to the world than the news about sports (particularly professional football for him).

The process of nuturing allows for young entities to develop in a space that has been thoughtfully prepared. A space that provides them with what they need to become what they're intended to be. Now, this is a bit easier with vegetables or trees, as we "know" what they are to become - it is far more challenging with people - and not exclusively the young. Though we have a death denying culture that focuses almost exclusively on the young, the elders among us have a need to continue to grow and develop into what they will become as well. We often forget that none of us is through growing until we die, and that all are in need of a nurturing environment.

I think that is why I was so taken by the information on the Eden Alternative and the Green House Project. These two examples (and there are others) give me hope for my future as an elder. I also interact weekly with persons well into their 90's in a Sunday School. Though they are moving slower and have the physical limitations of aging, their minds and their need to feel valued and involved are are engaged as they were when they were "in their prime". Their wisdom and life experience are invaluable to me, and are a great gift, as I traverse this time in my life. They help to re-orient me when I lose my way as a man of faith and as a parent. Together each week, we create a loving, compassionate and nurturing environment where all can contribute, can decide direction for the class, and can feel welcomed and cared for - can feel loved unconditionally.

This is how nurturing can lead to wholeness. Nurturing an environment where all are valued, where all have input and where all are loved unconditionally heals our broken areas - in fact, it allows for that brokenness to be brought to light so that it can be healed. Without this tyoe of environment, brokenness remains hidden and we become less and less whole, healthy and well.

My prayer for you this week is that you would discover a nurturing environment for yourselves and for those that you love. May it heal those areas that are broken and lead you into abundant life!

Peace,
Dan