“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit.”  Galatians 6:9 (MSG)

Early on in my parenting journey, my mother-in-law told me that she had a parenting mantra. Every time she was discouraged or depleted, she would remind herself that love covers a multitude of sins — in other words, the love she showed to her kids was far more important than any failure she felt she had made.

I was inspired by her idea and settled on my own parenting mantra. So often I felt (and still feel) weary and fatigued in parenting; it seemed fitting to use this verse from Galatians to remind me to keep doing good, even when I felt like I had nothing left to give.

This verse encourages me to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of my children, but it is not limited to them. It applies to my entire family: the family of believers as well as those around me who do not yet know Jesus.

Doing good means that I pray with each of my children at bedtime when I’d rather just collapse onto the couch; it means making a meal for someone in my church, even though some days it’s hard to make time to get supper on my own table; it means talking to the person next to me on the plane, even though I had planned to read a book.

Jesus, please give me a heart to serve those around me, even when I am physically weary or emotionally drained. Please fill me with Your joy as I serve others, because I know that ultimately, I am serving You. Amen.

Take Action

Prayerfully ask God today how you can "do good" in your own family, your church family, and your community. Ask God to give you joy as you serve Him. Remember that we don’t "do good" to earn merit with God; it is an expression of our worship and love for Him.



Tags: family