Fruit of the Spirit

The other day, after telling Nathan for the umpteenth time to "Be nice to the cat," I realized just how much I use the term nice when I'm instructing him on the way he should be acting.
Be nice to the cat.
Thank you for sharing. That was nice.
That's so nice when you help Mommy.
Use your nice voice.
You need to ask nicely.
Be nice to Mommy when you want something.

So I decided I need to be more specific. Because it's got to be confusing to a two year old to have one word cover all those things.

So I started being more specific....
You need to be gentle with Brutus.
Thank you for sharing. That was very kind.
You need to be patient when you want something.

Hmm.... Then I realized:

• But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.... (Galatians 5:22-23)

What a perfect example of how to teach our children the way to act! I know that maybe the concept of sin/salvation is still over Nathan's head (well, not the sinning part - but the need of a Savior), but he is old enough to be learning these traits.

I haven't had time to dig in and do a word study on what each word actually means (other than my general idea of what each means). But I figure generalness is at least a starting place.

So I've written them down on a sticky note and put it on the fridge. Paul and I are trying to use any opportunity to instruct Nathan in these traits. We'd rather have a son who inhibits all the above, rather than a son who is merely nice.