How Parenting Led by the Spirit Looks Like
Hey my NOP family, I’d love to share a recent occasion when the Holy Spirit taught me a beautiful lesson in parenting. I’m sure it will bless and help you too.
Recently, I was correcting my 12-year-old for a mistake he had made, and he was genuinely repentant. I sat him down and explained the consequences of his actions, and by the end of it, I saw him in tears. As I was speaking, I could sense the Holy Spirit moving in his heart, and we ended the conversation with prayers of repentance, joy, and blessings. That chapter was closed, and together we declared,
“No turning back.”
Now this happened in the morning, and as evening approached, I saw my son moving around the house. He was back to his usual jolly self, playing music and teasing his little sister with his mischief.
As I sat there watching him, I felt a little upset. There was no sign of lingering remorse or condemnation in him for what had happened earlier. Honestly, I expected him to sit quietly in a corner, sulk, and take time to ‘recover.’ But instead, he had already moved on with joy.
That’s when the Holy Spirit corrected me saying: That’s exactly how I want my children to live – free in their spirit. They may make mistakes, but they are never meant to carry condemnation or fear.
In that moment, I realised that I was expecting my son to feel condemned, even after we had closed the chapter.
Why?
Because as children many of us grew up with the idea that unless you cry, fall to the ground, withdraw from your family, or sit in a corner in shame, you aren’t truly sorry. But that’s not how our Heavenly Father sees repentance. He calls us to turn, be forgiven, and walk in freedom.
Parents, I want to encourage you: let’s NOT raise children the way we have been raised, but with a renewed mind, the way Holy Spirit is leading us to.
Let’s declare: Our children will not face the struggles we faced. Instead, they will carry greater grace and shine even more for His Kingdom than we ever imagined!
With you in this,
Kim D’souza
