Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin,
you who are spiritual should restore him gently.
But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
Galations 6:1
How many times have you read this verse and thought perhaps more of church discipline or some other scenario?
Have you ever thought about this verse regarding your children?
Think of a time when your child was not listening to you--perhaps you were patient at the beginning when you corrected them. Then they did it again and again and again and AGAIN....
Now you are not so patient any more. In fact, you might be exasperated.
WHY is this child NOT listening???
So Momma gets impatient, and angry or mad. Her blood pressure begins to boil and she begins to raise her voice....and you and I both know what can happen from here.
But what if we restored him/her gently---how different that would be from the world. What a testimony of God's outpouring grace and love!
Restoring gently...just meditate on that for a minute. How would you want to be reproofed?
What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?
1 Corinthian 4:21
Is your life characterized by a gentle spirit? Is it characterized by peace? This is how I want to be remembered by my children.
Yes, I will fail, and you will fail, but we will make this our goal. We will do our best to leave a godly legacy to our children even if we fall 1,000 times---a 1,000 times we will get up and try, TRY again.
Are you with me?
16 comments:
Thank you for this! Wonderful reminder!!
Such good, sound wisdom for mothers!
Another good verse to remember- James 1:20- "...for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
Reacting in anger toward a child's disobedience will not produce righteousness in our them. On the contrary, I believe it will push them away from their parents.
I am with you. I needed this reminder today. That is exactly how I would wish to be remembered by my children.
This is such a good reminder! I do try to make this my daily goal, but fail at it so many times. :( The good thing about whenever I fail is, I'm reminded how dependent I am on the Lord & how I need HIM to accomplish it in me. His Spirit always strengthens & encourages me to try again! Thank you for posting.
This is very good wisdom indeed, a soft word turneth away wrath, I know I respond to soft gentle words much better that harsh ones, so as do our children, our husbands, ever our peers.
I'm with you!
I try to remind myself to be gentle...I want to! But as you said, after the 50th reminder it gets annoying!
Sometimes I pray before a 'situation' rises (for ex. teeth brushing time)that I would be gentle and patient with my silly kids.
Thanks for the reminder!
Thank you for this post.....such a great message and reminder to us all!
I never thought of that verse from the angle of mothering. I always thought of it as a brother or sister in Christ. You are so right that this really does apply to mothering in a powerful way! Thank you for that encouragement today.
Thank you for the reminder! I also appreciate Mrs. C's comment!
I really need to start looking at verses from the perspective of the work I do at home as a mother. I read a verse such as Galatians 6.9 'And let us not grow weary while doing good...' and assume it is for those doing evangelism outside of the home or missions work in far off places but it is for me right now in the place where I am doing good and being a gentle mother is part of that most vital work for as the second part of that verse says 'for in due season, we shall reap if we do not lose heart.' What a promise for mothers! Thank you June for helping me see another verse I can apply to my mothering on a daily basis!
Yes! I am with you. I fail each and every day, but my resolve is strengthened each day as well to get better. I will overcome my anger and impatience!
Yes! I am with you!
I am with you! I know this is an area that I need to refocus on and make a top priority. Thank you for the wonderful reminder.
Thank you so much for sharing your wise words (and those from the other commenters as well)!! It is a much needed reminder for me!! Thanks for the encouragement!
Thank you for your wise words (and those who posted comments)!! This was a great and much-needed reminder for me!! I appreciate the encouragement!!
What a timely reminder! Every day it is a struggle for me to keep a calm and gentle spirit as I try to parent my children, two of whom are extrememly strong-willed! I am going to print your post and put it on my bathroom mirror where I can read it often.
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