31 Virtues for Our Kids ~ Self-Discipline

Self-Discipline


Over the next few months we will be praying for 31 Virtues for our Kids maybe even for ourselves too!


Proverbs 1:3 (New Living Translation)
Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.







To be honest this one I am not that excited to write about; probably because it is the one I struggle with the most. Trust me, I am not the most disciplined person on the plant. I can not stand anything that screams schedule or structure. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate when others excel in these areas and make my life easier(as I write that it seems so selfish, ugh). But when it comes to my life I would much rather "fly by the seat of my pants". I love being spontaneous. I love doing what I feel like doing when I want to do it.


BUT, life does not work like that all the time. To grow in a relationship with God does not work that way either. Growing in God is slow and steady with a commitment to follow Him everyday. That commitment means seeking, praying, reading and learning on a consistent basis. This covenant relationship with God Almighty requires discipline. To be honest, the very sound of that sometimes makes me groan....hey I am human.

I think my son will love order and structure. He lines up his cars in all sorts of interesting ways. He hates it when I turn one the wrong way or mess up his pattern. He gets all mad and starts having a 2 year old fit. I want him to learn to have a disciplined life in Christ as he grows. I want him to remember to not let the "discipline" to be the focus the focus must always be God. We must always be flexible in allowing God to change things up a bit.

Throughout my life I have learned the great value of discipline. There are huge benefits that do help you be successful in what you are doing. When you have worked at something, put thought into it and put care in to your life you will do what is right, just and fair. You are less likely to hurt others by plans not thought through.

Bottom line, a life that is disciplined is a life fully surrendered to God. I have a lot of surrendering to go; but, I know that there are great rewards for me as I do. Lord, help me be disciplined and be a good example to my children!

*"Father, I pray that my children may acquire a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair."



*by Bob Hostetler, it is excerpted from Pray! magazine issue #4, 31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Kids

31 Virtues for Our Kids ~ Willingness & Ability to Work

Willingness & Ability to Work



Over the next few months we will be praying for 31 Virtues for our Kids maybe even for ourselves too!


Colossians 3:23 (New International Version)
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,



Work, work, work....Yuck! I don't think any of us honestly like to do work. I can usually think of a hundred other things I would rather be doing like hanging out with friends, playing with the kids, napping, reading a good book, or being crafty. But there is something to be said of a person who is able, willing to work and has a good attitude. Nothing bugs me more than when my kids whine and cry while the clean up their room.



In this world, we have to work. We have to have jobs to earn money. We have to wash clothes, wash dishes, take baths and cook or we would stink and not have anything to eat or eat on. Now we could do all these jobs have heartedly with a nasty attitude and life for ourselves and those around us will be miserable. Or we can do our best and "whistle while we work" and be what God has called us to be...servants. When we have a right attitude, work hard, and do our best then we glorify God. I want to glorify Him! I want my kids to glorify Him!



I think Snow White was on to something...

Just whistle while you work

And cheerfully together we can tidy up the place

So hum a merry tune

It won't take long when there's a song to help you set the pace

And as you sweep the room

Imagine that the broom is someone that you love

And soon you'll find you're dancing to the tune

When hearts are high the time will fly so whistle while you work

Just whistle while you work

Put on that grin and start right in to whistle loud and long

Just hum a merry tune

Just do your best and take a rest and sing yourself a song

When there's too much to do

Don't let it bother you, forget your troubles,

Try to be just like a cheerful chick-a-dee

And whistle while you work

Come on get smart, tune up and start

To whistle while you work

*"Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work at it with all their heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."



*by Bob Hostetler, it is excerpted from Pray! magazine issue #4, 31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Kids

Proverbs 12 "DON'T BE STUPID"

Stupid Is, as Stupid Does" This VERY SMART saying from Forest Gump might be appropriate here. Verse one made me laugh today.

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

But he who hates correction is Stupid. (NIV)

Who loves correction...NOT ME! When I was little and I knew dad was gonna come home and I knew I was in BIG trouble and I knew a spanking was on it's way; I would get prepared. Anything that I could use to "soften" the blow would get shoved in the back of my pants. One time I even tried to get away with a book in there. We even got to a point where I offered to spank myself. You may think this is crazy; but it was sheer genius to me. I would spank myself hard enough to hurt, but definitely not as hard as my dad. Looking back, all the spanking stories are hilarious; even though the build up to it was worse than the actually event itself. My dad was brilliant that way. LOL

Here in verse one, I am told if I hate correction I am "Stupid". Well, I will have to choke that one down. I know that correction is for my good; but I have to say, "I do not love it". What is the Lord trying to get at here? I think He is trying to say, that I need to. Yikes!

As Christians, we need to allow ourselves to always be changeable. Of course not in sound doctrine; but, when we are shown that we are incorrect we need to let go of our foolish pride. So we do not do "Stupid". (my girls would be like,"Oh, you just said the "S" word. Yeah they are not allowed to call people stupid)

Proverbs 12 then gives us a list of wonderful ways we can avoid stupidity...



Don't be crafty vs.2 (Not crafty like Hobby Lobby crafty, oh Lord help me if thats what it means)

Don't be wicked vs. 3,7,10,12,20,21

Don't be disgraceful vs. 4

Don't listen to the advice of other stupid people hehehehe vs. 5

Guard your words vs. 6,13,14,18,23

Don't have a warped mind vs. 8

Don't be somebody you are not vs.9

Don't be lazy vs.11,24,27

Don't ignore good advice from non stupid people hehehehe vs.15

Watch your attitude vs.16

Don't lie vs. 17,22

Don't be anxious vs.25

Watch out for bad friendships vs.26



Oh, I know people do not like list of what they should not do. But, sometimes we all need that spiritual kick in the pants. Why? So, that we do not become stupid! Proverbs 12 ends like this...

28 In the way of righteousness there is life;

along that (stupid) path is immortality.

I will not be stupid, I will learn to love correction and then I will...

GET JOY!

Check out my friends perspective on Chapter 12!