Sunday, August 22, 2010

Loving My Children In the Spirit

Lately I've been convicted about how pron I am to love my children in the flesh--not in the Spirit.

Don't get me wrong, my fleshly love is abundant and rich, but it is also full of flaws and selfishness.

Since I've decided to go through the fruits of the Spirit with my kids this year...we are looking at LOVE this month.  I have personally been SO challenged by 1 Corinthians 13, as it takes on a whole new light as I apply it to my mothering.
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When loving from the flesh, I often rejoice when my kids do things in my perfect timing and by my most ideal standards.  But when they fall short of this,  Patience is greatly lacking.

I'm also loving them in the flesh when I flaunt their academic successes because it makes me look better to those watching from the outside.  It is not true, Spirit-filled love when  Pride and Boastfulness motivate me to brag on their accomplishments.

I love them in the flesh when I look with Envy upon what other moms are doing and attempt to replicate that in my home not for their well-being, but just in hopes that I will be a "better mom" like so-and-so.  

I am often Easily Angered and Rude when I have an agenda and my kids slow me down.  I usually scold them saying how "momma loves you, but..." and then gripe about how long they are taking and how late this is going to make momma.  But Spirit-filled love is always Kind.

I am loving them in the flesh when I want to get away from it all and use the excuse that "I need a break so I can be a better mommy".  Love is never Self-Seeking.

Loving them in the flesh happens when I am trying to teach them a lesson, and though I have forgiven a wrong of theirs, I bring it up by saying "You always..." because Spirit-filled love Keeps No Record Of Wrongs.

Because I know that Christ-like love does Not Delight in Evil, when they do something "cute" yet sinful (like the first dramatic display of passion~ also known as a tantrum), I am loving them in the flesh when I giggle or simply do not address it.

Or when I let them be entertained by worldly things that blatantly contradict the Truth found in scripture, I am not loving them in the Spirit because love Rejoices with the Truth.

Thankfully, when it comes to loving my children in the Spirit, the rest does come a little more naturally to me although there is some fleshly, "momma bear" tendencies that tend to take over from time to time...

"Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails."
(1 Corinthians 13)

Lord, help me to love these kids, YOUR kids, 
















in the Spirit...not in my weak, self-centered flesh because by your Spirit, I am a better momma and a better steward.

16 comments:

Heather Hart said...

I truly felt that I was reading about myself when I read this! Would you mind if I shared it with some other moms? It is extremely well written and oh so true.

cooperkelly4 said...

This is so true and what an awesome perspective to love as the Bible commands, but from a Spirit perspective and yer a Mother's heart perspective too. Loveloveloved this!

Karen said...

Oh Grace, how beautiful and perspective. Just today we were watching a God Rocks video and my daughter wanted to watch Fruits of the Spirit over and over. She loves this song, and I must admit that I was enjoying it also. Anyways, I had a hard day on Friday and was not as patient as I should have been. I decided that I was going to work on Gentleness for awhile. I just love how gentle Michelle Duggar is with her kids. You have given me a lot to think about...... Thank you and Blessings!

Darcy Carmichael said...

Thank you for writing this post! I am blessed to be convicted that I've been loving in the flesh instead of the spirit.

I hope you don't mind if I share the link to this post on my blog so my readers can also be blessed.

Danielle said...

Excellent post!!! I just read 1 Cor 13 last night. I know I fall short in loving in the spirit. I love it when the Lord reinforces what He's telling me with what others are saying.

THANKS!!!

the broomes said...

Thanks for posting this, Grace. I can SO relate to this...thank you for the encouragement to press on and love our kids thru Christ! (and I love you last post about stuff as well-- I'm weeding through toys this week and you've further motivated me to get rid of some things!:))

Kate said...

Thank you for this! I am not a Mom (hopefully one day) yet, I'm only 16, but I'm saving this article. I babysit, cousins aged 1 & 2 and I wish I would've read this article this morning. We had some trying times this afternoon and I did not love them in the spirit like I should have. This can also apply to me loving others who are older etc. I want to thank you so much for sharing this with everyone! I really needed that today :-) God bless you!!
Kate

Hishandmaid said...

I'm thankful to God for this post. :)

Alice said...

What a great post!! I don't know whether I feel that way because it just IS a great post, or more because it's something God has been trying to say to me for a long while. I feel so convicted as I read it! In a good way though, because I know it's a step towards change. I mostly love in the flesh, and I want and need to love my children in the Spirit way more than I do. What great, clear examples of how to love that way and how NOT to love that way! Thanks so much for posting this! I think I will link back to it from my blog if that's okay. I think it's something every Christian mother should read! :)

Shonda said...

What a great reminder that we are all human, but God can transform us to be the kind of mamas we need to be with His love! Thank you for being vulnerable to post.

Jenilee said...

such a beautiful post! great thoughts and wonderful truths for all moms!

~Stephanie said...

Ouchie! My toes feel a little stepped on, but I love you for it! Thanks for sharing this convicting message... I come here often for iron sharpening.

Nicci Lynn said...

Beautifully written! Absolutely beautifully written! So true and something SO MANY (read, all of us) struggle with in our humanness. Thank you so much for writing this. I will for sure be passing it on!

Laura said...

Good Morning!
I just stumbled across your blog...what a wonderful post! Our children are our most precious gift from Him...and only entrusted to us for such a short time! I love your blog!
Have a blessed day,
Laura

cooperkelly4 said...

Hope you don't mind but this was just too good not to share. I posted it on my blog and linked back to you. Thanks you for being used by God!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Yep! Me too. xo

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