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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
GALATIANS 5:22-23
The work of a mama is never done. So they say, and I can definitely confirm the saying’s truth! Watching over our children’s character can be exhausting, yet it is some of the most important work we will ever do. To give our child a virtuous heart, to teach them to value hard work, patience, relationship skills, truth-telling, keeping their word and so much more is to bless them for their whole life. It does take time to create pathways in their hearts and minds to love virtue, but so very important to their well-being.
“You never let me get away with a single thing, Mom!” My sixteen-year-old child looked at me with a dramatically tragic face and tears spilling over big, blue eyes. “Why can’t you just understand that I’m a teenager? All of my friends have attitudes, too, and their moms let it slide. I’m just feeling emotional.” Her eyes were flashing with perturbation now. I sighed.
Confrontation, especially with my children, is surely my least favorite thing in the world. All I had asked was that she empty the dishwasher and load the dishes. The roll of her eyes, the mutterings under her breath (“It’s always me; the boys never help”) and the thump of her reluctant feet had prompted me to suggest that perhaps work was simply part of life and that she had a choice to make about her attitude.
Our confrontation at the sink, as with other mother-child confrontations, continued far beyond that dishwashing moment. We talked afterward. I shared some relevant scriptures. I reminded her of our standards as a family. I hugged her. I encouraged her. I sent her upstairs to recover and to have some time to think and pray. And then I sat back on the couch, exhausted, knowing very well that ten such conversations might happen again the next day with four of my sweet and less than perfect children in the house.
Moments like that, though they seemed tedious, were charged with some of the most important work I did as a mom. I knew then, and even better now, that I was training my children’s hearts forming their faith, and strengthening their character through those confrontation. I know you will be encouraged by the podcast today—I was! Just in the preparation.
