Have you ever wondered why God gave you children? He entrusted them to you so that you might do all in your power to lead them to know and love Him. (Visionary Parenting, p. 8, by Rob and Amy Rienow)
Character building begins at home and it works best if Jesus is a vital part of the family’s foundation.
Raising children who grow up to be people of good character isn’t an easy task. Parents will need all the help they can get to develop solid values in their youngsters. They’ll need to plant the fruits of the Spirit in young hearts and employ the Golden Rule. In doing so, empathy toward others begins to take root. The desire to do good and not harm becomes the goal.
Recognize the Ripening Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.
Teach by example and take advantage of opportunities to let life lead those lessons. The best gift parents can give their children is to model the fruit. How do you show love when someone is unlovable to you? Does your joy go away when hardship hits? Do you do whatever you can to create harmony and a peace-filled home? Children learn more about what they see than what they hear. Deeds speak louder than words. Be kind. Do good deeds. Be faithful to God and family.
Live the Golden Rule
Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
This verse sets the tone for family life. Do not fail to give your boys and girls this lesson. It is the basis for heartfelt empathy. This one foundational truth will serve them well for a lifetime, and demonstrates how a heart of forgiveness is far better than a bitter or vengeful spirit. This quality also demonstrates how sharing trumps selfishness. By putting others first we, too, are blessed.
