I wrote this blog 6 years ago but I really like the idea of planting seeds in different soils as a picture of our heart condition. I think this might even grab my pre-teens and teens attention. My mother in law might be a genius.
Summer passed like a blur..... School is back in session, Scott and I spent two weeks in Scotland (which was amazing) and life is back on the fast track.
I've really been convicted lately to make sure I'm getting to my children's heart. "Behavior is only the window to your child's heart" as Ted Tripp, author of Shepherding a Child's Heart, says. I want my children to be well behaved but I want them to want to do what is right more. To teach a child to want to do right is much more difficult than training them to behave. A pet can behave if we train them but a child can touch others for Christ. Training a child to have a heart for Christ will bless them forever.
While we were in Scotland, my wonderful Mother-in-Law, Sherron went through some of the Parables with my kids. They read the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-9) and then planted seeds in various soils. As you might suppose, the seeds in the good soil grew the best. This was a powerful picture of the condition of our hearts, that all my children have been touched by. We talk daily about having a heart without weeds or sin.
Early this year we all memorized Matthew 22:27-39 which talks about putting God first then others before yourself. This verse alone has helped to keep our hearts in the right place. It's a powerful tool to use during arguments and fight between kids - it doesn't matter who had the toy first or who is right - what's the priority in your heart? The older my children get, the more important this becomes.
A great resource for you to read is Ted Tripp's book, "Shepherding a Child's Heart". This training has also helped me be a better wife and friend - check it out!
Categories: parenting
