Parenting with Joy

Peter Leithart wrote an excellent article for Credenda Agenda:

Joyful Parenting

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.  Often it isn’t, and that’s hardly surprising.  After all, children are time-consuming, frustrating, demanding.  Children can be a nuisance.

Of course, he doesn't end things there.  The piece is a helpful reminder of what all Christian parents already know . . . but always need to hear again.