Friday, August 27, 2021

"The Gift of Children"

Psalm 127.3-5 NASU

“Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of ones youth

How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;”

There is no virtue or lasting spiritual benefit from the simple act of procreation. Virtually anyone past the age of puberty can make love and make babies. That’s not hard to do. There are plenty of emotionally deadbeat moms and dads who do not qualify for God’s promise of parental blessing even if their “quiver is full” of kids. Having children is one thing. Raising “them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6.4) is quite another.

“Children are a gift” but only if they are received as as gift. It is possible to miss out on the joy children are intended to bring a family. Their unique contribution is lost in the busy-ness of other so-called priorities. Parents should delight in their children. That’s what kids are there for! They are “a gift of the Lord.”

Nurture your children. Raise them right. Discipline them when necessary. Love them and tell them often that you do. Show a little affection. It’s OK to hug and kiss your kids. Catch them doing something good. That should be easy. Make “yes” your default answer. While “no” is sometimes best, your children already hear “no” more often than they need to. Don’t wait too long to have fun with your kids or they’ll grow up and won’t have time for you. Listen when they talk even if what they say sounds silly. It is silly but listen anyway. Laugh at their goofy jokes. It won’t hurt you. There’s room for only one child in every parent-child relationship. If you act like a child, you force your children to grow up before they should. You are an adult. Do your level best to act like one so your kid can extend their childhood as long as possible. They grow up too quickly already.

Treat your children like a “reward” and “gift of the Lord.” They are living proof that God is good and that He loves you.

2 comments:

Heli gunner Tom said...

Good scriptural advice, my friend. I have 3 grown kids of my own and 2 grand kids.
thank you for the warm comment on my, TOM'S JOURNAL ! I know many people read it but few comment these days.
Bless you and your family!

Tom Schuckman
tschuckman@aol.com
Disabled Vietnam Veteran: 68-70
Jesus is Lord.

davescriven said...

Hi Tom. Thanks and also you're welcome.