Being Generous With the Time You Have as Parents

By Michelle Twitty

Director of Children’s Ministry

Galatians 6:9
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

This verse was not written specifically about parenting, yet it speaks powerfully into it. Paul’s encouragement—“Do not lose heart”—meets parents right where we live.

Parenting is Kingdom work, and it is also exhausting work. It is one of the primary ways God entrusts us to be generous with our time for a lasting Kingdom impact.

Paul wrote Galatians 6 to encourage early believers not to give up in their faith. He urged them to persevere in doing good, promising a harvest in due time if they did not grow weary. Using the language of farming, Paul spoke of sowing and reaping. Sowing represents what we invest—what we do day after day. Reaping is what results from that investment. His message was clear: faithfulness matters.

We are called to be faithful stewards not only of our money, but also of our time.

As parents, we are given time—but are we generous with it? Our days are filled with laundry, school drop-offs, sibling disagreements, lost sleep, practices, schedules, and the same reminders repeated again and again. There are nights when you wonder if they are listening, if anything is sticking, or if you are doing enough. It is easy to grow weary.

But hear this encouragement: every prayer whispered over your child, every song sung at bedtime, every moment of play, every car-ride conversation, and even smiles shared over a fast-food meal—it all matters. This verse does not deny that weariness will come. It simply calls us not to lose heart.

You may not see immediate results. You may feel overwhelmed by exhaustion, conflict, poor choices, or simply a busy season of life. Just as with a physical harvest, seeds do not grow overnight. Parenting is daily, faithful sowing—but God promises that faithfulness produces a harvest.

Here is the most comforting truth of all: God sees you. He sees the unseen effort. He hears the late-night prayers. He strengthens you when you feel you have nothing left to give. Find rest in His promises.

So when you feel weary, pause and remember: you are doing Kingdom work. Do not grow weary. Your faithfulness will produce a harvest. Be generous with what the Lord has entrusted to you.

Something to Pray

Ask God to bring comfort when you grow weary in parenting and to help you not lose heart. Ask Him to help you steward your time wisely—choosing to be present, patient, and steady in grace as you love your children.

Something to Do

This week, choose one small moment each day to intentionally build spiritual connection with your children—perhaps a short devotion at dinner, worship music in the morning, or meaningful questions during car rides.