Almost every Christian knows Psalm 127:3 which says that children are a gift, a heritage from God. Few would disagree. But practically speaking, how many of our children believe they are God’s gift to their parents?
Schedules, grades, behavioral concerns, homework and household chores can cloud the perception of being a gift. Then, of course, there are pressures parents face: financial issues, home and car maintenance, issues at work, relational struggles, problems at church, appointments, school schedules, etc.. In the midst of all this day-to-day turmoil rejoicing in the blessing of children can slip from view. Take a moment to consider that perhaps one reason for your child’s daily struggles may come from his uncertainty about whether you truly view him as a blessing in which you delight.
On any given day would your children functionally believe that they are a blessing to you and that you delight in them? Don’t misunderstand, failing to discipline and teach your children is not an option. But neither is having them believe they are not a blessing to you. Even in discipline they must be secure in the reality that you delight in them.
Only the liberating power of the gospel can bring true balance to parenting. The Lord disciplines you without condemnation. May your children have the same assurance and security that they are loved by parents who have been forgiven, by parents who treat them as God’s precious gift.
Parents, this is not an extra credit assignment. If you are to faithfully represent God to your kids you can do no less.
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Psalm 127:3
…for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.
Proverbs 3:12
3 thoughts on “Do your children believe that they are God’s gift to you?”
Just a quick “paraphrase” of certain scriptures: “in the last days, good will be called evil, and evil called good.” Also: “daughters against mothers, fathers against sons” etc., I brought this up because, I was never given the feeling of being a “gift” by either my birth parents, OR my abusive adopted mother. Just a burdensome inconvenience. Only God’s Word through the scriptures, (and my adopted dad, who died when I was young) made me feel loved, like my life had meaning. And now my own children, whom I love with all my heart, and tried my best to bring them up with God’s love, always sharing with them that they are God’s gift to me, and in spite of great difficulties I endured, struggles and sacrifices, they don’t hardly give me the time of day. I saw to it that they were healthy, educated, and now they are successful adults. They avoid me as much as possible, and even though I don’t “harass” them with Jesus (so to speak) they act like anyone, especially me, that are Christian, are crazy loons. (P.S. My children don’t believe in God, anymore)
Beautiful reminder!
Beautiful thought for the day.