I recently started a Mother’s Ministry at my church called, Roots & Wings. My favorite parenting quote passed on to me from my mother is, “There are two gifts we bequeath our children: the first is roots, the second is wings.” I find this incredibly helpful to guide me along my parenting journey and helps me focus on what I want my children to learn, value, appreciate, and embody. One of the moms in our group asked, “How do we raise good humans?” Hmmmmm..that’s not an easy one.

On the way to this group, Maren Morris’ song, The Bones, played on the radio. The phrase, “The house don’t fall when the bones are good,” resonated with me. What makes good bones for a family? What 4 pillars are needed to make the home strong? Maybe this is tied into how we raise good humans?! We lead a powerful Mother’s group, I tell ya’!

In the Bible, the fruits of the Spirit include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These virtues (more than 4!) are the ones I am trying to instill in my children along with developing perseverance, independence and embracing challenges. Providing opportunities to build these skills is my job. Role modeling, role playing, and surrounding our family with like-minded people reinforce these values as well. Gracefully declining events, activities, or social commitments that don’t align with our foundational principles has become easier when I think, “Will this build our family up?”

The foundation you want to build for your unique family is your own decision. Own it! Encourage it! Reinforce it by each decision you make, brick by brick! In time, the walls you create will help buffer adversity. You will build a home that strengthens the character of your children and in turn, help raise a good human.