This is a two part post, but they go together...I have been talking with the girls about the Fruit of the Spirit. It is a desire of mine to teach them this, not only in words but my example as well. I want them to understand that when Christ is in our lives we bare the fruit of Him. Love, Joy, Peace, Goodness, Kindness, Gentleness etc. We are working on memorizing the verses in Galations. We, as God's children, are known by our fruit.
I also teach the girls that they make choices. You can make the choice to obey, be happy, etc or you can make the choice to disobey, be grumpy etc. Each choice comes with a consequence. Choose to be obedient: privileges. Choose to be happy: fun times. Choose to disobey: discipline of some kind. Choose to be grumpy: no fun. So, this morning, again, they woke Jake up by waking up early and turning on lights and talking/playing. Not a big deal, but we have asked them numerous times to be quiet so Jake can sleep and we will get them when it is time to get up. I told them this morning they made the choice to not do as they were asked and now they had to pay up big time. Their room is going to be super clean and they will not be able to go to the library for story time and pick out new movies. I also told them that by making the choice to wake Jake up early, he will most likely need a nap (which makes them for sure not be able to go to the library).
However, I do not want to just teach them that they make their choices but I want them to understand that they need to make choices based on what God wants them to and how God wants them to act. Not just make the right choices because that is what Mom and Dad say, but because God wants them to make the right choice. That their good or bad choices affects everyone. From a good and happy attitude making us have a fun time. To a bad, grumpy, unhappy, selfish attitude that affects all of us in a negative way and makes it so we don't want to be around them.
We are known by our Fruit. When we Believers are growing in Him there will be evidence of growth. Not perfection...but desire to do right for Him. I get so excited and Praise God when I have talked to the girls about their wrong choices and they respond: 'But I do want to do right'. And thrilled when they make the right choice to begin with. God is working in them!! We are raising eternal souls. A 'job' not to be taken lightly. Each moment is a learning moment. Teachable and moldable is where we need to be. Jason and I have been talking lately about, how in the Proverbs, it says that those who do not regard rebuke are stupid. We desire to teach our children that learning from others and being open to hearing a correction is good. Soft hearts. Teachable hearts: more evidence of growth in Him.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galations 5:22-23)
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: be he that hateth reproof is brutish (stupid). (Proverbs 12:1)
3 comments:
You are in my prayers. You're shepherding their hearts which is so much more important than just getting a desired response. Leah, you're a blessing. I know it's the Lord's work in and through you, but I'm thankful that you are tender to His working in your life and the lives of your family.
Leah, I totally get what you are talking about. I have the same desire as Peter get's older and can communicate. I grow up in a Christian home and my parents are the best but I always obeyed because it was what they wanted. I have to be honest and say that my relationship with God didn't even start to become my own until I left for college and it really took off when I got married. My desire is that Peter will first and foremost obey the Lord and pleasing us is secondary. I think at first we teach them to obey because we said so...(like early ages) But I think parents get stuck in that rut and don't teach further to please the Lord. I will be praying for you and Jason. I know I will need the same prayer pretty soon myself.
Thank you Leah! You are always letting God use you to encourage me and challenge me! Thank you for the reminder, and challenge, for me and for my kiddos!
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