but a man of understanding draws it out. (Proverbs 20:5)
To make this verse even more practical, let’s think of this “plan” in these terms: “A plan in the heart of a child is like deep water, but a parent of understanding draws it out.”. . .
Do you have a child who is mechanically inclined? He needs to know you notice. Make comments about it. Brag on his ability. Do you have a child who is athletic, well-coordinated? He needs to know you believe he is well-coordinated. You say, “That’s obvious.” But perhaps he hasn’t heard it directly from you. He wants to hear you say it. You have a child who is intellectually gifted? You sense that she would be good at research, probing deeply into various subjects? Tell her. Mention the future possibilities. Help her find the right university. Rather than hammering away on petty stuff that doesn’t matter, spend more time discovering how your children’s interests can be channeled. Building a strong self-esteem takes a commitment to discover.
