Raising Godly Children
If you happened to read my last post, this post will make a little more sense... As I spent some time seeking God on what I needed to do, He led me to Psalm 128. It happens to be a verse that is a *family* life verse (one spoken over my Knight and I for our family).
I went back into the verse, but God gave me an interesting tidbit that I didn't know.
So what *light* went on as I read?
Well, did you know that an olive shoot takes 16-18 years before it bears any fruit? Lots and lots of time is invested into these shoots (children). You would expect 16-18 years of cultivating, labor, weeding, careful tending, before you would see one ounce of *olive* (fruit).
How like raising children is that. Graciously, God often allows us to see fruit in our children before their 18th year of life. How thankful I am today for that, especially after the awful behavior. A Glimmering of *fruit* on occasion really does help with the journey.
I have to go back to cultivating my shoots children. Some days there is more *weeding* to be done...hopefully once my Knight and I get them pulled out and continue on the path of farming parenting, we will get glimpses of the men and women of God that we are training up.
Parenting sure is 24/7 for real. I am thankful to have a God who speaks and one who loves my children even MORE than we do.
Thanks for your prayers...it was like a refreshing rain on my spirit.
Posts
11 comments:
Kimmie,
Your faith, your love for your family, your heart and transparency bless me more than you could ever imagine. How thankful I am to have found you in the sea of blogs.
My life Psalm right now is Psalm 84. My strength is in Him as we set our hearts on pilgrimage.
Besitos from Costa Rica,
Sarah Dawn
I am praying too and encouraged by this verse. So often as parents we forget how LONG the journey of parenting is, in the midst of wanting immediate results in our children! Thanks for sharing.
Dear Kimmie,
I wish I could have read this earlier to know how you were doing in the moment. Thank you for sharing this heart moment in parenting, as I'm sure it will be encouraging to me in my future years of parenting. I will be praying for you and your family in this area, as you've brought it to my attention. I'm so glad to hear you've been refreshed and are ready for more "gardening for the harvest". Love you.
~Andrea
Mid summer when the days last soooo long always seemed like the toughest season to parent. Keeping cool and on track is so hard for everyone. I'm glad you were refreshed by the Word...may I also suggest that in summer plants need extra water? I found dyhydration seemed to lead to bad behavior, and being IN water led to good behavior. Just a thought from a mom whose children are raised and despite some disheartening episodes, both of them serve the Lord mightily.
Sorry to see you have had some rough times :( Oh the joys of parenting. It is so hard sometimes. Just in the past year or so in reading your blog I would have to say that you do a wonderful job of teaching your children to truly be 'Godly'. I know that your family puts HIM first and that is so important. Of course troubles will come, but those strong values and such that you have instilled in them will always win out in the end. ((hugs))
Well, I'm sure glad you have shared this wisdom. I needed to read this right when I did. Thank you my friend.
Love you!
Hallie
{{{Kimmie}}} The journey is long, but the rewards that come later are your refreshment. Be consistent even when it's the last thing on earth you feel like doing...it works!
Blessings,
Tammy ~@~
I'm so glad you found the refreshment you needed. Every parent has those difficult days...it was an encouragement to me to be reminded about how to handle them. Thank you for sharing that with all of us!
Your parenting posts are so much the encouragement I need right now. Heaps of effort go in ... and very little seems to come out sometimes.
Keep blogging for Him.
Thanks for your kind words about our gone little doggy. We are looking up now.
Thanks for sharing - my children are being particularly trying today & it's nice to read this & know that I just have to keep on working at it.
Kimmie,
Nice to meet you!
I saw your comment on Shonni's blog.
I am a Momma of 8. 6 adopted in the last 3.5 years. We share the same heart for Him and His blessings.
We also are going through similar seasons right now. I loved the lesson on an olive branch. Thanks for sharing it so lovingly and with such grace.
Blessings,
Jill
Post a Comment