Spankings, Time-out or the Holy Spirit?

     Have you discovered what a tremendous help the "Helper" is? I'm talking about the Holy Spirit; the Paraclete. I mean this spiritual being; this God of ours is very down to earth and practical. Really.He helps you find stuff, He helps you "hold your tongue", and He even helps you raise your children.
     That is if you ask Him to. Often we go about our day like air-heads, whistling while we work, until some great need appears and then we panic! All the while God is with/in/around us by His Holy Spirit, waiting to be entreated. "Ask of me" He is saying. He wants to be our guide, or teacher and even our preacher bringing to mind His truths set out in His Word. I know He's dropped quickening Scripture into me before, and you know what? It was truly a word for the hour; one in which either showed me the way or set me free or both. Cuz He's God, and cuz He knows me, and knows just what I need and when and how and why........
     So, I'd like to talk about how He helps us with the raising of our children. I'll use me as an object lesson of what not to do. First of all, don't be unsaved before either marriage or children. (Well, how did I know? I thought you were a Christian if you went to church, and I did that!) That was the state I was in, and it proved to be traumatic for all concerned.
     Here I was married at age 19, with 3 children by age 24. Do the math. First child-1973. Second child-1974. Third child-1975. Young girl, baby of the family of origin at that, and at home with 3 babies. Help!!!! Add to that I didn't know the Lord then, and so all I had was "me" and my vain philosophies to try and shape my children into half-way decent human beings. Hey, I wasn't half-way decent myself, so what did I model to them?
     The point is seriously this: If you know the Lord, He will help guide you in raising your children. He wants to raise them by His Spirit, and He wants you to let His Spirit flow through you to them, so they can be touched by His Spirit. In each and every situation you find yourself faltering in, and with each and every unique child He gives to you, He has an answer. He may not give it to you right then, and in the way you want it, but He just loves it when you ask. Be assured He will deliver in you asking for His help. Sometimes it takes years to develop a listening ear to Him, but if your heart's desire is to seek His will, and you aren't able to hear Him clearly, He will fill in the gaps where you fail. Love does indeed cover a multitude of sins.
      Oh, I wish I knew then what I know now. It's alright. What the devil meant for evil........ but God came to the rescue and saved all my family and they are enjoying knowing Him day by day, and raising their own children up in Him, which is the next best thing. Atleast the generations that were headed for the ditch (us) are now turned around and going in the other direction. It is comforting to know that when I am gone, my grandchildren will have Him to approach in the raising of their children, establishing a legacy of living for Him. 
     Try it, you might like it. It is amazing how He comes sometimes and shows us the way. And He comes in so many ways. No more need for Super Nanny to come in and invade your home. He is already resident if you are His, teaching you strategies, and wisdom and developing His fruits in you so that you can be the parent you've always wanted to be. For His praise and for His glory, and for the love of you, and your children.