Nurturing Greatness

Great men and women are not raised in schools; great men and women are raised in homes.

Homes, not perfect, but which provide the spiritual, emotional, and practical support needed to rise above adversity with character and courage.

Nick Vujicic was born in Melbourne, Australia, with a rare condition that left him without arms or legs.

His parents, Dušanka and Borislav Vujicic, Serbian immigrants, were initially devastated, but they chose faith over despair.

Their Christian faith shaped Nick’s own belief system, and their unwavering love and support helped him overcome bullying, suicidal thoughts, and self-doubt.

Nick is now married with children, and he has inspired thousands around the world with his “no limbs, no limits” message of hope. 

One can only imagine how much the world would have lost had he not been raised in a supportive home.

Similarly, Moses’ story might have turned out quite differently had it not been for his parents, especially his mother, Jochebed.

She saw in her little boy’s eyes beauty, purpose, and greatness. It was a conviction she held so dearly that even Pharaoh’s decree could not persuade her to surrender her son to the cruelty of the sword.

And what about Timothy? Would we have the two letters of Timothy without the role his upbringing played? Maybe not.

He was generally a shy boy (2 Timothy 1:7,8), but the Scriptures were deeply planted in his heart by his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15). 

Sadly, the only mention of Timothy’s father is that he was a Greek, but Greeks get born again, too. However, nothing indicates that he contributed to Timothy’s faith.

Yet the Lord brought Paul into Timothy’s life to complete the courage, character, and confidence in his faith that his father did not provide.

Oh, may we be blessed with homes where our greatness is not fought or suppressed, but supported and nurtured. Where our gifts are recognized and cultivated, not stifled or killed.

May the Lord give us homes with godly fathers and mothers who see the brightness of our destinies and are willing to risk anything to secure them.

Let posterity remember us as those who saw the radiance of greatness in others and nurtured it, inspiring a generation of leaders. Amen.

Reflection Question: Who believed in me when others didn’t, and how did that shape my path?

SELAH: A child’s calling can be silenced by a parent’s fear or ignited by their courage.