How can we learn from Jesus' patience with his disciples as an example of how to interact with children?

In this devotional, Paul Carrington reminds us of the remarkable patience Jesus showed towards his disciples. Despite the disciples' lack of understanding and their frequent squabbles, Jesus never gave up on them. This patience mirrors the experiences many parents, particularly mothers, have with their children. Moments of selfishness and misunderstanding may tempt a parent to feel that their efforts are fruitless.

However, Carrington encourages parents to stay patient and remain confident that God is sowing seeds in their children that will bear fruit in due time. Just as Jesus continued to teach his disciples, trusting in God's timing, parents should persist in educating their children. Despite the hardships and thankless moments, Carrington assures that God is using parents mightily. The work of a parent, like that of Jesus with his disciples, is a life of faith.

2 Corinthians 9:6 (NKJV): "But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."

Now when you look at Jesus, it's amazing to think of the patience that he had with his disciples. You know, There are times when they're arguing, they're squabbling. There are times when they have no concept of what he's actually talking about. They think he's talking about the leaven of the Pharisees. He's talking about the teaching.

There's times when Jesus is saying, I'm about to die. And out of the disciples' mouths, they're arguing who's going to be the greatest. If you're a mother you probably have those same interactions with your children. They just, you know, selfishness, all these things that the flesh are there and you might be tempted to think nothing's happening. These, They're not learning.

Why am I wasting my time? I should just pack it in. But take confidence. God is doing a great work. He's sowing seeds that at some point in the future, they're going to germinate at that right time.

So don't become weary. Don't draw back. There's a great verse in Psalm 126 I found great encouragement for, but I think it really applies to mothers. And it says, Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

So don't give up. Be patient and trust that what you're doing At the given time, God is going to cause to bear fruit. He's going to continue to teach your children. He's going to carry them forward. It's really a life of faith as a mother.

And so be encouraged. God is using you mightily. And one of the things I would also say is that the work of a mother is often the most thankless work, because you don't get to see the fruit.