Harvest of Righteousness

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.
Without having any chief, officer, or ruler,
she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.
How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,
and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.
Psalm 6:6-11

Normally when we think of these verses, we think of someone who is lazy in their work habits. But you know how sometimes verses just hit you in other ways? I realized this verse also applies to my parenting. If I am lazy or slack in my parenting, what will be the result? What will "poverty" in the lives of my children look like? Discord between siblings, selfishness, lack of concern for pleasing God?

But if I am careful to love, discipline, disciple, train and instruct my children, what is the result? Love for God and others. Hebrews says, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." And James says, "Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."

What kind of harvest do I want to yield? If a harvest of righteousness, am I willing to put my selfish desires aside to put time and energy into the things that will produce that in my life and my children’s lives?