Letting Gentleness Take Root

Letting Gentleness Take Root

I am an Oklahoman by birth, a Texan by current living situation, but claim the world as my playground.I love to travel and hope to someday soon take our family on adventures to far off lands, where we can share God with others and experience all the wonders He has created.

I am a mother of 5 crazy, homeschooling children ages 10 & under, wife to an amazing man, and daughter of the King of the Universe!I enjoy reading, making my kids laugh, cooking, all things natural, learning to play guitar and dusting off my piano skills.One day I hope to run again, but until then I’m learning patience.
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Teaching children how to be gentle in words, actions and thoughts is imperative so that they can reach out to others in love.

What do you think of when you hear the word “gentleness?”

Our children answered this in all different ways:

  • Soft
  • Kind
  • Like a warm blanket.
  • Like snow.  (I’m assuming powdery snow and not a rock hard snowball!)

I think of my 3 year old son, putting his hand on my cheek, ever so softly, then caressing it down to my chin.  He usually does this when he is trying to get something he wants. Sometimes, he does it to show me affection and love.  It’s the sweetest thing ever!  Reading over this month’s Family Time Training Activity called “Gentleness”, I couldn’t help but think about my son’s actions and wanting that same gentleness to take root in all of our family’s hearts so that we can reach more people for Christ.

Christ was bold, courageous and gentle!

Those descriptions do not always flow together well in our modern day minds.  However, we see that it is possible to live this out.  It is one of many things we are called to be.  We are called to be strong and courageous but also have the Fruit of the Spirit:

  • Love
  • Joy
  • Peace
  • Patience
  • Kindness
  • Goodness
  • Faithfulness
  • Gentleness
  • Self-Control

(This is a fun song to help your kids remember all the fruits of the spirit.)

be-completely-humble-and-gentle-be-patient-bearing-with-one-another-in-love

Our youngest son trying to gently blow this “jumping” paper ball into a jar. Blow too forcefully and it will jump straight out of the jar! This ball much like people does not like to be forced to do anything.

How do we see gentleness, boldness, and courage in Jesus’ life?

There are many instances, where Jesus is bold, but at the same time seems to display gentleness in his thoughts, words and deeds.

The Family Time Training Bible Activity

Gentleness isn’t instinctive. It’s definitely something that our children will not learn from this social media enraged age.  It’s one of those traits that the Spirit really has to help us hone (well, maybe some more than others) and remind us of constantly.

Do you remember once your children started to move how often you would say be gentle?  Whether it was their excitement at trying to pet a dog and nearly slapping the poor thing to death, or a toddler trying to hug a younger sibling but accidentally putting the younger in a choke hold, the reminder of being gentle seems to constantly be escaping our lips.

What age is this activity for & a Tip!

This activity is great for kids of all ages including moms & dads!

If you are thinking “I don’t have time for an extra devotional activity”, I’ll share a tip.  Read the devotional part together over dinner and then do the activity after a quick clean up.  Paper plates aid in clean up time and the kids move faster when they know there is a fun activity coming.

Gentle in Thoughts, Words, & Deeds

Many times, we relate being gentle to our actions that’s why I appreciate how the Family Time Training devotional activity relates it to our thoughts and words as well!

Our whole family had so much fun with this activity!  It was hilarious, frustrating and gave us PLENTY of opportunity to practice being gentle with each other and the paper ball.  (Get it while it’s free during the month of March.  If you’re reading this after, March click on the previous link to find the current month’s free devotional activity.)

learning-about-gentleness-1st-challenge

It took us a little while to figure out that we couldn’t forcefully blow the paper ball into the jar because it causes them to jump out!

My gang is pretty competitive. We have been working for a while on not getting upset when we don’t do something perfectly the first time.  After reading through the activities and seeing that the first part of the activity was designed to be impossible to accomplish, I warned them that even if they get frustrated to do their best to maintain gentleness and self-control. We had to remind them a couple of times but overall, they did a great job.

 

The second part of the activity, which is blowing a paper ball into a pop bottle or in our case a glass jar, is possible but it’s all in the approach.  Can you guess what kind of approach we must take?  A gentle one!


Gentle blows work best, but we also learned that sometimes a more forceful blow depending on the angle will work as well.  In the end, it’s all in the approach and as long as we are approaching each situation in a loving way, that we ourselves would appreciate, then we will be displaying gentleness and the fruit of the Spirit.

learning-about-gentleness-2nd-challenge

Prayer over our heart

Lord, you say whatever we ask in your name you will give us.  We simply ask today that you will help us to let gentleness take root in our hearts.  It’s much easier said than done. Instead of letting anger and our frustrations overcome us, help us to breathe and remember that gentleness draws people in instead of pushing them away.  Help us to become more like you and grow into your shinning lights.  In learning gentleness, we will be able to reach more people for you. In the One who was bold and gentle at the same time – Amen!

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