"Nurturing the Inner Child: A Journey of Healing, Growth, and Self-Compassion"
Recently, I’ve found myself stepping into a new role—one that has taught me so much about life and, surprisingly, about myself. I’ve become a plant dad! Each plant in my care has different needs—some need more sunlight, while others thrive in the shade. Some require more water, while others are sensitive to overwatering. As I’ve tended to these plants, I’ve learned that growth requires consistent, patient care. And after attending a life changing retreat in Georgia at LifeApp, I discovered that this same principle applies to our inner lives.
Imagine how a gardener nurtures their plants. If you asked them how they make every branch and leaf grow so beautifully, they wouldn’t say it happened by force or rough treatment. A gardener knows that being harsh would only damage the fragile stems. Instead, it’s through small, consistent acts of care—watering the soil, protecting the plants from harsh winds and the burning sun—that the plants flourish. Ultimately, it’s God who brings that growth.
Now, think of yourself as the gardener, but the “plant” you’re caring for is your inner child—the part of you that holds your deepest vulnerabilities, needs, and hurts. Just like the gardener with their plants, you can’t heal your inner self by being harsh or forcing change. You need gentle, patient care. It’s the small, repeated acts of self-compassion, self-care, and emotional nurturing that will help you heal and grow. It’s protecting yourself from harmful situations, setting boundaries, and allowing yourself to feel and process emotions without judgment.
Many of us were raised to believe that expressing our feelings or showing love—even to ourselves—was a sign of weakness. We were told to “toughen up” or “keep it together.” Over time, that stifled the softer parts of us. Our inner child became buried beneath layers of self-protection and fear of vulnerability. But if we don’t take the time to nurture that part of ourselves, we risk staying hardened and disconnected from the joy and love that’s meant for us.
Healing requires us to reconnect with our inner child in a way that allows for tenderness and growth. Just as the gardener doesn’t rush the process, neither should we. We need to create space for ourselves to heal—through self-love, by letting go of shame, and by allowing God’s love to penetrate the areas we’ve closed off.
If we want to become whole and find peace, we need to tend to ourselves with care. It’s the small acts of love, patience, and kindness toward ourselves that will help us flourish. In doing so, we give ourselves permission to heal and to grow into the person we were always meant to be.
Think about how you treat the most vulnerable parts of yourself—your inner child, the part that holds your fears, hopes, and innocent dreams. Just as you wouldn’t want someone to misrepresent love to a child by being cold or harsh, you shouldn’t misrepresent love and kindness to yourself. Sometimes we can be our own worst critics, harsh and demanding, and in doing so, we keep that inner child away from healing, from joy, and from the fullness of life.
Don’t create the feeling that the place of healing within you is distant or unattainable, like it’s only available when you’ve “got it all together.” Healing doesn’t require you to be perfect—it invites you to accept love and growth even in your imperfection. Sometimes, without realizing it, we treat ourselves like we have to earn love or joy, creating an internal sense of gloom that makes life feel heavy. But healing, and even a relationship with God, isn’t about giving up the joy of life. It’s about finding a deeper, more authentic joy—one that comes from being kind and patient with yourself.
As you experience moments of self-awareness, when the Holy Spirit or inner guide stirs your heart, cooperate with that process. Lean into those moments. They are invitations to return to yourself, to nurture the parts of you that feel lost or disconnected. You don’t have to wait for the perfect time or wait until you’ve “fixed” yourself. Healing starts now, in the present, even with the messiness and the baggage you carry.
God takes joy in every step you take toward wholeness.
God doesn’t just love the well-behaved parts of you, the parts you’ve managed to “get right.” His heart is drawn to all of you—the good, the bad, and even the parts of you that carry generational hurts or negative traits passed down from those before you. He looks upon all of you with tenderness and love, and He longs for you to see yourself through that same lens.
The path to healing starts with treating yourself with the same kindness, understanding, and love you’d offer a small child. In doing so, you open yourself up to growth, joy, and a deeper connection to God and to yourself.
You are worth the nurturing. You are worth the healing. And just like my plants, you can bloom into something beautiful. This is why Jesus said “Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” You can have your kingdom here and now you don’t have to wait!
LR
