God Leads Us in Love

From time to time it’s important that we evaluate the fruit of our actions as parents and the choices of our children against God’s Word to determine if we are in line with what he is calling us towards. When our homes are full of strife, unkindness, indulgence, selfishness, impatience, and more then we need more of God’s love filling our hearts and family life. Love may look like new boundaries, protections, responsibilities, accountabilities, time spent together, and more. God's love is a protective one (1 Corinthians 13). It does not say that everything is good for us, his love leads us towards the way, truth, and life (John 14:6). This is what we should be guiding our kids towards as parents. 

Let us follow the love of Christ on this parenting journey. As leaders in our homes we must take time to study God’s Word, remain in tune with the leading of the Holy Spirit, and build community with other believers so we can continue to embody God’s love in our homes as much as we can by God’s grace as it transforms from a love that changes diapers to a love that helps fill out college applications and everything in between. 

God, we thank you that you empower us to love one another with your love. A love that is bigger, kinder, more gracious, and more powerful than any love that we can try to create on our own. We are so grateful for the opportunity to be the spiritual shepherds of our children. Help us never to take this great role and responsibility lightly. Remind us that when we fail, hope is not lost, you give us the grace we need to say sorry and try again. Let us remember that you love our kids even more than we do and we can trust that you will never leave or forsake them. Show us how your love protects and us and give us the understanding that we need to lead our families towards your way, truth, and life. Let the fruit of the spirit be abundant in our homes. Amen. 

Are we, as a family, producing the fruit of the spirit in our homes and lives? 

In what areas do we need more of God’s love to lead us toward truth and life? 

How is my love as a parent offering formation and protection for my kids? How can I improve in this area?

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Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is to encourage others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for My Daily Bible Verse Devotional and Podcast, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, the Daily Devotional App, she has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God's Heart of Love for Mommas. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.