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I LOVE working with children. They are so innocent, so cute, so honest. But even better, the privilege of "teaching children" enables me to grow more and more in areas where I am weak.

Intentional Peace

When reading through the fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:16-23, I come to "PEACE", and long to experience what that means. I know that children need to grasp this principle and I also know that one of the best ways to ingrain biblical peace into their understanding is for the adults around them to model it. As a young mom, I tried to be intentional about maintaining a peaceful atmosphere in our home. By their very nature, young children challenge any peaceful setting – spilled milk, toppling toys, additional dirt, upset tummies, sore gums, messy diapers (right after changing them), and interesting noise levels. But when I could remember to keep my expectations in check -- when I could remember that modeling Christ's love was my goal as a mom, and that this season of my life was a gift to enjoy, only then could I smile and clean up the milk. Only then could I smile and pick up the toys-again, sweep up the dirt, patiently handle the upset tummy, lovingly put gel on sore gums, and re-change the diaper. And only then could I smile and actually hear the music in the noise level.

Peace Through Forgiveness

Peace is gained through forgiveness. We are to forgive in our relationships to others, but we also need to extend forgiveness in simple ways – forgiveness for the interruptions in our routine, forgiveness for the unexpected needs of others that call on us to give up our own plans and desires and serve. Peace is experienced as we remember all that Christ did for us on the cross. Peace is addressing each situation through the grid of the Gospel.

Peace is Hard Work

Experiencing peace may mean changing our schedules so they are less hectic, and it may mean calming our hearts before the Lord and focusing our study on growing in intimacy with Him. It may mean re-evaluating what is important for us to accomplish in each day. But it is hard work that yields incredible rewards within our own souls and toward the legacy we give to our children.

Quiet Peace

"Be still and know that I am God"...Psalm 46:10

Sit on the beach, take a walk, play in the sandbox, but seek quiet and calm. An atmosphere of peace encourages a heart of peace. Atmosphere is something you intentionally create, not hope for when everything else is complete.

Peace Resources

There are some great resources for teaching children in this area. One is Shepherding A Child's Heart by Ted Tripp. Another great resource is The Young Peacemaker by Corlette Sande. In teaching both of these books to children, I have learned great practical ways to establish a model for practicing peace making resolutions to the inevitable conflicts in relationships. As I help the children with these principles, I am convicted and encouraged as I build my relationships.

Take minutes in your day to REMEMBER the story of Jesus and tell it over and over again to your children. Take the time to sing Jesus Loves Me. Buy these books and work through them – for yourself or with your children.

Hunger to savor the fruit of PEACE!

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