Dear Boy Mamas,
Think of the last time your son displayed gentleness.
 |
| And yes, he did go down that Black Diamond run...multiple times! |
Was it hard to do? I know my boys are always on the move, rough-n-tumble kind of guys. Gentle is not in their vocabulary.
But…
I do know that we were wonderfully created in the image of God, formed by his hands, and blessed with the Holy Spirit to guide us in the way everlasting. Gentleness CAN be a part of our sons lives. Pray for them today and watch for the next opportunity to praise your son for his gentle ways. Truly a gift from the Father!
DAY 17 ACTION STEPS
-
READ | If you haven’t already, read through “The Fruit of the Spirit” (pg. 27-28) and work through any (or all) of the Study Questions that enhance your time in this challenge!
-
PRAY | Work through the 10 prayers on Gentleness (pg. 36) using whatever method works best for you!
-
COMMENT | For most of us, our boys are anything but gentle. They are rough and tumble balls of energy! What are some ways we can encourage gentleness in their interactions?
Day Seventeen – Gentleness
Encouragement from Brooke
Encouragement from Brooke
Aggression in men is commonplace. It may not manifest itself the same way for all of them, but it’s there nonetheless. For the physical boys, it shows up in their need to be on the top of the wrestling pile. For the
intellectuals, it shows up in their need to score the highest on the exam or be at the top of the class. Personally, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with aggression. I don’t want to break my sons of their aggressive streak and I’m learning not to be afraid of it. But I do want to teach them how and when to use it. I’m beginning to think that gentleness is more of an approach to life than a specific characteristic to develop.
Since they were born, we’ve whispered these words into our sons’ ears:
God made men to protect women and care for them. God made you a big brother! Your job is to protect your little brother, not hurt him. There’s a time to play and a time to listen. If you can’t listen, you have to feel (true in so many aspects of life). God wants you to use your strength to protect, not to hurt. Superhero’s don’t look for fights, but they will fight to protect others. It’s OK to want to be the best, but the best people in life are the ones who serve others. A gentle word turns away wrath …
"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." ~James 3:17
Today's Instructions
For Day Seventeen, pray the ten prayers for Gentleness in the Fruit of the Spirit chapter. Consider this thought:
Helping our sons to define and set parameters for their aggression can help develop a worldview of gentleness.
Gentleness
May__________know that a gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit (Proverbs 15:4).
May__________take God’s yoke upon Him, and learn from Him, for He is gentle and lowly in heart, then__________will find rest for his soul (Matthew 11:29).
May__________be completely humble and gentle; patient, bearing with others in love (Ephesians 4:2).
May__________be gentle, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children (1 Thessalonians 2:7).
May__________not be a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money (1 Timothy 3:3).
May__________pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11).
May__________correct his opponents with gentleness that God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 2:25).
May__________speak evil of no one, avoid quarreling, be gentle, and show perfect courtesy toward all people (Titus 3:2).
May__________have wisdom from above that is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere (James 3:17).
May__________honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks him for a reason for the hope that is in him; yet do it with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).
For Day Seventeen, pray the ten prayers for Gentleness in the Fruit of the Spirit chapter. Consider this thought:
Helping our sons to define and set parameters for their aggression can help develop a worldview of gentleness.
Gentleness
May__________know that a gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit (Proverbs 15:4).
May__________take God’s yoke upon Him, and learn from Him, for He is gentle and lowly in heart, then__________will find rest for his soul (Matthew 11:29).
May__________be completely humble and gentle; patient, bearing with others in love (Ephesians 4:2).
May__________be gentle, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children (1 Thessalonians 2:7).
May__________not be a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money (1 Timothy 3:3).
May__________pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11).
May__________correct his opponents with gentleness that God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 2:25).
May__________speak evil of no one, avoid quarreling, be gentle, and show perfect courtesy toward all people (Titus 3:2).
May__________have wisdom from above that is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere (James 3:17).
May__________honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks him for a reason for the hope that is in him; yet do it with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).
No comments:
Post a Comment