“Joy is prominently placed in Paul’s list of the fruits of the Spirit, second only to love (Galatians 5:22-23). If Christian homes are little outposts of the new Eden, green with the fruits of the Spirit, we should expect joy to be one of the main crops. Joy should be the dominant tone of a Christian home…”
“…Finally, look ahead. Joy is eschatological. Joy is anticipation. Joy comes at the end of woe, as light follows darkness. Jesus went to the cross for the joy that was set before Him. Joy in children is also anticipatory. Scripture often describes how the anguish of a laboring or barren woman opens into joy when a child is born (Psalm 113:9; Isaiah 54:1; John 16:21; Galatians 4:27). In raising our children, we rejoice in looking forward to the fruit that the Lord promises to bring through our efforts.”
Peter Leithart, Joyful Parenting
———————————————-
Image by Paul and Sarah Beth Boekell
- Make Believe Makes Believers - July 19, 2021
- The Archer’s Cup is Here - September 30, 2020
- It Is What It Is, But It Is Not What It Shall Be - March 30, 2020
De says
Beautiful quote. Beautiful picture – is it a new one? I follow the blog of the couple who post them, but there is nothing new coming up on my “reader” and I can’t remember what the blog is called.
S.D. Smith says
Thanks, De. Here’s their blog. I love it. http://lifetogether730.wordpress.com/