“Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them” (Luke 11:46).

In my life as a mom and wife running a household of four little kids as I lumber around with our fifth still growing inside, I set rules and impose consequences all day long.

I repeatedly shout to wash your hands and put your clothes down the laundry shoot. Children who don't will probably have another direction shouted at them like come downstairs right now. Buss your dishes. Do not touch your sister. You need to get your homework done now. Or no listening to the baseball game. And the most frequently heard one: I SAID NO.

When you're in charge, it's easy to lay on the burdens, the rules, the consequences.

But it takes a day of real charity for me to say, "Let me help you with your lunch box so you can get to your afternoon chores." Or maybe my three year old needs to hear, "I understand its tempting to smear my lipstick all over yourself and your shirt, so let me help you put it away where you can't reach it" instead of "DO NOT TOUCH THAT!!!"

If you're in charge of anybody, anything, in what ways can you help them achieve the desired end result, rise to the challenge of the rules, or simply bear their burden more easily? It might be more difficult to do than just enforce consequences, but it's also so much more fruitful. For you and for them.

[bctt tweet="Rise to the challenge. // @wholeparenting" username="blessedisshe__"]

listen to today’s devotion

Lord, help me to love those I'm in charge of like You love them. Help me to ease their burdens as You ease all of ours.