Are the fruit of the Spirit being seen in your home–love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22)?

I have noticed that my kids have been quite fussy and whiny the last few days. They have also been unkind. Yes they are boys and yes they are kids and they will have their little fights, but I am sensing that it is more than that right now.

Because of this, in my prayer time this morning I began praying peace and joy for our home and family. I prayed that God’s perfect peace would cover us and that the joy of the Lord would fill us. Because the kids have been so whiny and fussy, that is what I wanted to pray for- that they would have peace and joy. As I was praying (which involves listening!) I felt the Holy Spirit urge me to also pray for love…godly love. I was not sure what to pray exactly, because we are a family and we love each other. But as I obediently began praying for love, 1 Corinthians 13 came to mind. This is a passage we all know, but as you read it, think about it and your home and your family.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

I know as I read it, I realized some of the things it says Love is NOT has been occurring in my home.
As a family, are we patient and kind with each other?
Are my kids behaving rudely or selfishly? Are they bragging?
Are we as parents easily angered?
All these things are not love. So I am praying godly love in our home and family. And we know that God is love (1 John 4:16), so if we are obeying and living for God we will love!