Parenting In The Garden

Outside the snow is blowing and it’s bitter cold, so the thought of planting a garden doesn’t quite fit… however, now is the time to prepare for the planting. The Bible tells us that we will reap what we sow. Don’t have to be a horticulturist to figure that one out. But, I’m certain that Paul wasn’t talking about a garden of vegetables we can eat, but a harvest of goodness that we reap when we plant our pure motives and good attitudes.

Mom and Dad, think about what you are planting in your children. Good hygiene? Thank you!  Good manners? Thank you!  Good study habits? Respect? Kindness? Joy? Gratitude? Thank you for what you are doing to plant good seeds in your kids!  Don’t stop! Don’t give up! Does it seem that they aren’t catching on? Does it ever seem that you are a broken record playing the same lines again and again, but falling on deaf ears? Persevere! Find ways to teach the things you want them to grasp and own as their values for life. It doesn’t sink in better when you yell or criticize or throw up your hands and give up. It sinks in when you live the life in front of them and share the joy that kind of living brings.

Our first child was very compliant. Our second child had a very strong will and would challenge me from the time he could walk until he went to school ALL DAY LONG! Had I been a single parent I wouldn’t have survived raising him, but his daddy is the one who kept me strong so that I could outlast the strong willed youngster and continue to shape him and direct his behaviors.

Be a team. Typically one parent is heavy with grace and the other heavy with truth. One heart and One mind… combined they create the best scenario for raising a well-balanced child. Learn to hear each other out. We tend to think we are right and don’t want to parent their way… because we are right! You probably are right… and so is your spouse! Learn from each other and parent as a team, allowing for grace and consequences. It is how your Heavenly Father is shaping you. And He is never wrong!

How about sowing TRUTH into your children in 2016? Show them the right way to think and behave and treat others. Show them the behaviors that will please God and the consequences of running the wrong direction. Stop excusing bad behavior and redirect them to the right behavior. Be consistent with them so that they are fully aware that what is not acceptable behavior today will not be tolerated tomorrow, either.

When you have planted TRUTH you can expect a good harvest, but only if you water it with GRACE. They will make mistakes, be crabby, act selfishly, show disrespect, and act like you never thought your child would act. Don’t be discouraged. Don’t give up. They are growing and learning and need to be showered with the GRACE that assures them that you make mistakes, too, and you will always love them through their bad choices. Remember, they are learning and learning isn’t easy. But your example and your love will make the lessons most effective.

“Those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.

 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.

At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

Galatians 6:8-9