I’ve been working with my kids on the Fruits of the Spirit, using them as a teaching tool.  I want my children to be followers of Christ who regularly display these fruits.  Then I remembered that kids learn best by seeing it modeled.  Right.

I’ve been working in myself on the Fruits of the Spirit, and it turns out these are nine attributes I need a LOT of as a mom.  When I find myself tired, frustrated, at a loss, running on empty, or plain old not feeling it, I remember the Fruits of the Spirit.  I close my eyes, and rather than counting to ten, I recite these nine fruits nice and slow…

Love.  Joy.  Peace.  Patience.
Kindness.  Goodness.  Faithfulness.  Gentleness.
Self-control.

I’ve found that I land on two or three that I need an extra dose of right then, and so I ask God for that extra dose – right then.  As Christ-followers, these nine characteristics are to be within us, “keeping in step with the Spirit.”  I believe that if we find ourselves lacking, and ask God to replenish us, He will.

I often think about the future and what my kids will think of my parenting as they become parents themselves.  What will they want to do the same?  What will they want to do differently?  One thing I hope they notice is that I exhibited each of those nine fruits.  Certainly not all the time, and not all at the same time, but that I grew in them.  I hope that these nine fruits make me a better mom, wife, friend, and Christ-follower.

[subscribe2]