In a world full of child-led parenting and parent-led parenting,
I think it would be most accurate to identify our parenting style as Spirit-led parenting.
"Be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:18
"Be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:18
When authoritative vs. passive parenting methods abound, it seems that God's Word has something much more noble in mind when it comes to all of life and raising children...and it's my objective to learn as much as I can in this arena. I have so very much to learn! But, thankfully, God's Word contains all I could ever need to walk this road. Praise the Lord!
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training
in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Here's what I know. My flesh will fail, my children's flesh will fail, but the Holy Spirit of God will never fail me. When I submit my whole life to His workmanship, what I see evidenced in all areas, including my parenting, is directing from the Holy Spirit.
With this comes peace and joy in what might otherwise be an overwhelming journey.
"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?"
1 Corinthians 3:16
"You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you."
Romans 8:9
"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?"
1 Corinthians 3:16
"You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you."
Romans 8:9
Parenting is hard. This, I've noticed. Life in general is even harder.
But, walking in the Spirit breaths fresh motivation into my parenting. Yielding my choices, responses, and even my reactions toward a God-controlled perspective has powerful influence over my intuitions as a mother.
"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you."
John 6:13-15
"And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,
'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."
Isaiah 30:21
"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you."
John 6:13-15
"And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,
'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."
Isaiah 30:21
Where would I be if I parented by my flesh? Where would I be if I parented to appease my children's flesh? Both conjure up images of failure. Yet, when I parent by the Spirit, when I LIVE by the Spirit, thoughts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control come to mind. (Galatians 5:22-23)
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you."
Ezekiel 36:26
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you."
Ezekiel 36:26
With each passing year, I find it more and more natural to default to the Lord when it comes to direction for this parenting pilgrimage I'm on. Even so, I must constantly feed upon God's Word. I must constantly deny myself and take up a cross instead.
I must be ever-available to lose my life in hopes of gaining it eternally, leaning on Scripture and the Holy Spirit for wisdom.
"And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit,
interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual."
1 Corinthians 2:13
I must be ever-available to lose my life in hopes of gaining it eternally, leaning on Scripture and the Holy Spirit for wisdom.
"And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit,
interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual."
1 Corinthians 2:13
By God's grace, may our parenting journey bear good fruit that will benefit generations to come. May our joy in the journey, even amidst difficult days, sing of God's strength in our weaknesses and His sufficiency in our inadequacy. May we default to Christ and release self-reliance. For God's glory, may we find ourselves overflowing with LOVE and good works through Spirit-led parenting.
"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts."
Zechariah 4:6
"And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured
into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
Romans 5:5
"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts."
Zechariah 4:6
"And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured
into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
Romans 5:5
"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Matthew 5:16
and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Matthew 5:16
