Love and Perimeters

But the fruit of the Spirit is… self-control.” Galatians 5:22

I wanna’ hug Bobbi” Tia said.

Tia is our two-year-old granddaughter and she is totally fearless. Bobbi is our 8-month-old Saddle-bred foal.  She is tiny and he is really tall. Both of them are young, affectionate and unafraid.  As she leaned her head on the colt’s neck, Bobbi responded by nuzzling her neck.  Tia’s older sister, Mercedes, was gently petting the neck of the foal’s mother.

Children and horses alike respond to gentleness and affection, but they both need a firm hand once in a while. Tia wanted to walk into the field with the horses. I had to firmly explain to her that it was very dangerous – the foal might run over her.

Then Tia decided it was time to go see Mommy. She was half way down the driveway before I noticed.  I couldn’t call, “Tia, come back here!” because I knew she would run away from me toward the highway, so I began asking questions and she stopped and listened. I caught up to her and carried her to the house explaining that going to the road was very dangerous. Children need love, affection, guidance and parameters.

Women respond to love and gentleness, but we too, need perimeters. Many times the satisfaction of momentary pleasures can be tempting, but the results can be devastating. God has set up boundaries in His word because He loves us. They are there to keep us safe. Practicing self-control means saying “No” to the things that God says “No” to.  God’s rules are for our benefit.  We can follow them fearlessly.

Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit and you will produce ‘”self-control” in our hearts.  Amen.

By Katherine Kehler

We Welcome your comments.

Enter Email
reCAPTCHA

arrowcircleEmail Visitors, please visit our webpage to leave a comment. We warmly invite your thoughts on this devotional.

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com


Follow us by:
         Follow