Ancient Japanese botanists perfected the art of growing bonsai trees, defined as small trees, in pots. Their goal was to grow miniature trees that resembled the shape, style, dimensions and age that the same type of tree in nature would have. These tremendously beautiful plants, which can take years or even decades to grow, create the same impression as would a full-grown tree in a garden.

Bonsai artists utilize four p’s to grow their plants and shape their specimens to perfection: planning, practice, pruning and patience. By understanding these same principles, we can discern what God inspired the wisest man to write.

In Proverbs 22:6, King Solomon recorded, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

You are indeed your parents’ greatest stewardship. Just as the bonsai artist pictures his final product, your parents plan on how to bring you up in the way of God. Yet they need practice and may sometimes make mistakes along the way.

When young and tender, a bonsai tree is not permitted to grow wild and unrestrained. A gardener must skillfully prune it back to produce new growth and wire its branches to give it shape. This enables the tree to grow lush foliage, beautiful flowers, and sometimes fruit.

One of the most useful tools in your parents’ “shed” are the pruning scissors with which they lovingly shape, guide and correct you. At times, this is painful, but be of good cheer! You will most likely benefit from their correction more than you realize.

Although it may take years of figurative pruning, wiring, bending and cutting back branches—and patience on the part of both you and your parents to produce the wonderful tree they planned—you!—after a few seasons, your branches will grow strong and begin to bear fruit.

You can grow fruit and help your parents by employing the following valuable principles.

• Always be obedient.
• Lend a helping hand in and around the house. This will teach you the way of giving.
• Be thankful when your parents correct you, as they are laying the foundation for your future as a parent.
• Be teachable and observant, because what you learn today you may need to know tomorrow.

Old and magnificent bonsai trees that fully developed over decades learned not to bend when under pressure from the elements. They grew strong through many years of affliction and seasons of good weather, which slowly fashioned them. As they became older, their trunks became unbendable and their elongated branches reflected their ability to be shaped and guided. Above all, their fruit now provides seed for generations to come.

Will you be pliable when still green in your youth, and when you are old, a majestic beacon to those that surround you? Will you be that tree?