Monday Inspiration for Moms

I started Monday Inspiration because Mondays should be celebrated and started with a little pep talk for the week ahead and not dismissed at 8AM as a doom day. So will you join me and share these inspirations with your friends? 

This week: 

(Thank you to Influence Network & Redeeming Love Photography for the beautiful photo)

Some of my favorite verses are the Fruits of the Spirit. love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I was thinking it would be neat to touch on one every few weeks as part of our Monday Inspiration. 

Defining Gentleness: not severe, easily handled, calm, peaceful, referencing a disposition or behavior. 

This is an area I am always growing in. Learning to be gentle with my words when speaking to the boys. Learning to respond to Josh gently when I am upset about something. 

I want to show the boys gentleness by my tone of voice, my actions and behavior so that they will show gentleness to each other and to others outside our home. I don't want to raise my voice at them as a form of discipline, I want to raise my voice in praise when they learn to put on a shirt by themselves, make their bed without being told, score a goal while playing soccer. 

Yelling at a bud won't make it bloom. When you speak gently and discipline with calm words that aren't spewing out harshly or loudly, your child will respond differently than if you yell. I have done my share of yelling and felt guilty the rest of the day for when I did. It is always something to grow in and we don't need to burden it alone. 

Jesus says, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." -Matthew 11:29 

We aren't doing this alone and we can learn from Jesus, the Master of Gentleness. So friend, show gentleness this week in your home. Speak gently bringing an all-embracing peace in your home and the little ones will soon follow your example. Speak life into your family. 

A great way to begin is to find accountability in a friend, don't think you are the only one struggling with gentleness. 

I choose gentleness.