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Deeply Rooted

August 17, 2025

Dr. Paul Cannings

Pouring concrete is tough, demanding work. Before anything else, a strong, stable foundation must be carefully prepared. Once the concrete is poured, it must be shaped quickly and precisely—because once it is set, changes can only be made by breaking apart what’s already there. But when it’s done right, the result is lasting—a solid footing that can endure far beyond the lifetime of the one who poured it. Done poorly, however, the flaws soon show crumbling surfaces, cracks in the structure, shifting walls and floors. 

Raising children is much the same. 

Before a baby arrives, parents should lay a strong foundation—rooted in a healthy marriage and a shared readiness for the responsibilities of parenthood. Once the child is born, those early years are like wet concrete. Parents must be fully present, offering their time and attention more than material things. It’s in the small, daily choices—the thousands of repeated actions and gentle corrections, the steady prayers, and the faithful instruction in God’s truth—that we help shape a life. And if the mold is set with care and love, the result can last not just a lifetime, but into eternity. 

Consider these timeless principles as you nurture your child (author unknown): 

  • If a child lives with constant criticism, they learn to condemn. 
  • If a child lives with hostility, they learn to fight. 
  • If a child lives with fear, they learn to be anxious. 
  • If a child lives with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves. 
  • If a child lives with jealousy, they learn to feel guilty. 
  • If a child lives with encouragement, they learn confidence. 
  • If a child lives with tolerance, they learn patience. 
  • If a child lives with praise, they learn to appreciate. 
  • If a child lives with acceptance, they learn to love. 
  • If a child lives with approval, they learn self-respect. 
  • If a child lives with recognition, they learn to have ambition. 
  • If a child lives with fairness, they learn justice. 
  • If a child lives with honesty, they learn the truth. 
  • If a child lives with sincerity, they learn to trust. 
  • If a child lives with love, they learn that the world is a beautiful place. 

Children are a gift from God to us.
How we raise them—that is our gift back to Him.