Building Your House on Joy
Are you raising your children to see life through joy-colored glasses? How do we do this? By living joy. By example.
True joy comes from a relationship with the Source of joy…
We all want our children to exhibit the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, self-control, etc…and in John 15, Jesus tells us, “Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.” Skip down to verse 11 and read, “I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.”
Why aren’t Christians more joyful? Because we’re out there stirring up a lot of religious dust in the name of ministry, too busy to sit at Jesus’ feet and meditate on Him. And fruit apart from the tree rots, is fed on by worms and flies. Eventually it stinks.
We can’t do it all. Thank God we don’t have to. Concentrate on the Source, and let it spill over onto your spouse and your children. Your example as you prioritize your family will send a message far louder than all your “good works” could ever do. And when we retreat to Him, listen to Him, and obey…well, that’s where the impact is. The ripple effect of this seemingly simplistic approach is huge.
So take time with your children. Talk over the various scenerios they may encounter before they occur and encourage them to always react God’s way. Help them to be of the “glass half-full” mentality. God first, others next, me last.
Marriages and children are a full time ministry. So choose joy, and expect blessings!
Eph. 3:20, “Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us…”
Comment by GeorgianaD
July 29, 2006 @ 12:30 am
You know, I never really thought about marriage and children as a ministry, but you’re so right. Seasons of joy are awesome. Thanks for the reminder:)
Comment by Amy
July 29, 2006 @ 2:10 am
That half glass mentality is a good one, too often we look at life with a negative attitude instead of a positive one. And yes marriages and children are definitely fulltime ministries for us moms, I wouldn’t swap it for anything.
Comment by MInTheGap
July 29, 2006 @ 7:47 am
What a terrific encouragement and challenge– we definitely need to plan how we will react. Too often we let things happen and hope we react well. By planning, we know what we’ll do and we can do so in a way that glorifies God.
Thanks!
Comment by Aurelia
July 29, 2006 @ 10:22 am
What a beautiful and truthful post! Thank you for this!!