March 19, 2024

Fruits of the Spirit and Parenting

A few months ago, while having a discussion on parenting styles, mindsets, marriage, and marriage while parenting, a wise friend challenged me when she shared that she and her husband strive to always parent with the fruits if the spirit.

I have to admit, I don’t run in the same spiritual circles I used to, and hearing that caught me off guard. But I’m so glad she shared it, because I need to hear of such things more often. Just because I find myself in a very different place theologically than when I was in, oh, Bible college, doesn’t mean I don’t need to have Scripture spoken into my life, and further, I still have as much of a need as ever to read it, ponder it, and apply it.

So I’m thankful for friends that help me do that, and remembering that I need to seek out new ways to be involved with Scripture on a regular basis. (Hmm, part of this could be coming to mind because instead of being at church, hearing the readings from the common lectionary, and singing hymns, I’m sitting at home with a sleeping, sickly little guy on my lap.)

So, back to the fruits of the Spirit. I need to find ways to keep them more in mind, as I am not thinking of them that often. And I am struggling to put them into practice even more often.

Patience? Hmm. Some days, yes, but in the middle of the night when I just want to go back to sleep? Big fat fail.

Self-control? Mighty hard to find when I’ve eaten healthily all day, and just. Want. Sugar. (Keep wondering if my thyroid med needs tweaked, or if it’s because of burning more calories from breastfeeding, or *something*, as I’ve never craved sugar like this.)

While growing up, and still today, my mom kept Bible verses taped to the kitchen sink, to the bathroom mirror, or pantry door. Perhaps I need to do something similar, both to remind myself daily, and to serve as an example to my son.