Recently, Galatians 5, specifically the Fruit of the Spirit keeps popping up in our sermon application. It appears to be a lesson and a challenge that we need time and time again. We all can recall times, maybe even this week when we have failed in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
During recent months I have been challenged about the Fruit of the Spirit with respect to parenting. We have been called to bring our children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. This is a task that can seem too great for us, and yet God in His kindness has given us His manual on how to live our lives.
We (perhaps particularly mothers) deliberate over many parenting decisions such as feeding, sleeping, baby wear, weaning, discipline etc. It seems we somehow try to choreograph the image of the parent we want to be and will try to move mountains to achieve it. We develop a stereotype of how the perfect parent looks, talks and behaves. Many will pour over countless magazines, blogs and books on such topics. Others will rely on help from inspiring parents who display the image they want to be.
However, in our race to be the ‘perfect parent’ I wonder how often we ask ourselves, do we want to be a godly parent? How can we be a godly parent? What are we doing to project the image of a godly parent? As Christian parents, I don’t see this as a choice but rather a necessity.
Regardless of who you read and rely on for feeding and sleep routines, surely, to bring up your children in the Lord is to bring them up in the Fruit of the Spirit? Have you taken counsel from others who make it their goal to be godly parents? Are you reading God’s Word and relying desperately on the Holy Spirit to bring your children up with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control?
Christians, this is parenting at its hardest and at its best. This is parenting that will stand your children in ‘good stead’ for whatever their future is. This is parenting that will allow them to thrive in life. This is parenting with eternity in mind.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23