“Nature imitates herself. A seed grown in good ground brings forth fruit. A principle instilled into a good mind brings forth fruit.” - Blaise Pascal
Pascal was a smart man. In case you missed that, I wanted to remind you of this simple fact. He feared God, hoped in God, and pursued God through mathematics. In his book, Pensees, which was actually published posthumously, we glimpse the mind of this man. He observed many things, but one that he noticed particularly closely was this:
Man is miserable without God
In the above quote, Blaise reminds us of two things. First, that nature imitates nature. We see this in our children, when they sin they aren’t being unique or artistic. They are following their very nature. Second, good nature (fruit) doesn’t happen randomly. It takes good soil, which, any farmer will remind you, takes time and work.
What is good soil for a mind? Good Principles. The very beginning of thought and the Word. In fact, principles bring forth consequences, as any logic student can tell you.
For 2021, I ask you to challenge yourself. What good fruit are you trying to grow? What kind of soil do you need for that fruit?
In other words, what are the consequences for the principles that you are instilling in your children?
When in doubt, remember what the great Blaise Pascal says:
“All is made and led by the same master, root, branches, and fruits; principles and consequences.”