Parenting in the Spirit

Spirit. Spunk? Life? Joy? Holy Spirit. Life! Love! Fullness! Walking in the Spirit... Living life to the fullest, finding great satisfaction in obeying, honoring, adoring my Savior and living each day as though it could be my last. It is loving my children are unloveable, having hope when life feels hopeless and choosing to listen to His still small voice.

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. I Kings 19:11,12

A dear sister in Christ, Shonni, was inspired by another sister in Christ who shares her passion to adopt, to continue this work the Holy Spirit has given us...to not strive to complete the work in the flesh. I was also greatly inspired at my church's recent womens' retreat to think about how different my parenting is when I am walking in the flesh compared to when I am walking in the Spirit. Yes, living by the Spirit's leading most definitely affects our choices in adding to our family, continuing in the process of adoption, and many other enormous life choices, but how great is the reward when we see our everyday lives through His eyes!

This was so evident to me the other day as I was listening to one of my favorite songs..."when fears are stilled, when strivings cease" He can become everything to us when we realize it is not in our power to be everything to everyone. As a mama we have the greatest influence in our home and on the choices made for our family. What we feel we can handle and what we think we are able to be good at completely changes what our husbands think they can provide for and what they can handle. Whether or not we like it, we set the tone in our homes. I laugh everytime I hear the old saying, "If Mama aint' happy, ain't nobody happy." Isn't it true?

It comes back full circle to what we allow the Holy Spirit to keep charge of in our lives. Everything. I want Him to control everything I do, say, think. My thoughts will determine my words, my words will determine my actions. Everything I believe I can handle. Every challenging behavior in each one of my children. Each pet sin that rears it's ugly head, once again. He is the author and perfector of my faith! He is responsible for finishing this work he has begun in me! Praise God it isn't in my strength or nothing would be finished. Not this post. Not the breakfast dishes. Not homeschooling or bills or menu planning. Everyday. Every task. It is all by His strength I succeed and will eventually hear Him say..."Well done my good servant. You have been found faithful."

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt of life, no fear of death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand