Fruit

Last night, as I sat at my dining room table, I took note of the wall hanging we have that lists the fruit of the Spirit. And I wondered if making this passage Gabriel's first memory verse would be good for him - maybe encourage him not to scream at his parents when he doesn't get his way? And then it occurred to me that I need to work on self-control at least as much as I'd like him to. Not spanking as a gut reaction is a challenge for me, and I'm finally convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that it's a healthy challenge, and a war with myself worth fighting and winning. I already know spanking doesn't really work for me, but when a two year-old is screaming, who among us doesn't think about either smacking him ourselves or wonder why the parents aren't doing it? But each child and situation is different, and I know spanking now will only mean having to spank harder later - and it's the later I'm not willing to do. So the now will have to cease as well. Pray for me (and my boy) to learn about and exercise self-control. Together.