We have been having a lot of discipline issues in our house lately and I have been seeking wise council and asking for prayer from some good friends. As a result of those prayers God has taught us (among other things) the importance of self control/self discipline which is (or at least the definition I give my kids) training ourselves to do things that bring glory to God. We have also been talking about how God is the vine and we are the branches and we can not bear good fruit without His help. The fruit being the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self control. Its good to feel weak and helpless as a parent because then it emphasis our need for Christ to help us in every moment, which can easily be forgotten in the busyness of life when all is going well.

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