CHILDREN ARE A GIFT FROM THE LORD

As the mother of two children I can not think of any better job on this earth than the responsibility of raising two children for the Lord. The world we are in today is so much different than in the early 50's when I was born.(oops now all of you know I am not 39, LOL).The days of innocence, purity, respect, prayer in school, marriage being between one man and one woman, and all the rest are slipping away. As a Christian parent we have to fight upstream against the eroding tide of a sinful culture. When we were raising our two sons I wanted them to not fit in with the culture but to be 'set apart'.Not set apart to the extent they would be 'so heavenly minded they would be no earthly good' but set apart to the extent that Jesus would be their lifestyle. It was our choice in their formative years to place them in a Christian school to get a Biblical foundation and for them to learn the true founding principles of this great nation. The Christian school was not totally free of problems but was a nice foundation.

Children today are being bombarded with all kinds of mixed messages. You can not even watch television without a sexual overtone  on a commercial .Today you fight against the world of the computer too and cell phone as well. I know back in the day we raised our two sons without the use of video games which were highly popular at the time as they are still now.  We went outside a lot to do things .There was rarely a Saturday morning secular cartoon but many Christian videos and Christian shows such as Gospel Bill and Adventures in Odyssey.Christian music was in our home.  It may have seemed we were outsiders but they did fine.The Science Channel and Discovery Channel were a couple of their favorites to watch.  Also for my husband and I we chose to not do Halloween, Easter bunny, or Santa Claus. "Oh my gosh you are denying them the joys and pleasures of childhood." Says who? Says the world. We wanted to plant seeds of goodness and Christ in their head. I remember a time when I was in Wal Mart with one of my sons at the Christmas season and a checkout lady said to my son" Are you looking forward to Santa Claus coming" and his reply was "It is not Santa's birthday but Jesus Birthday". From the mouth of babes.

"Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation."(1 Peter 2:9-12 ).  We are not to always curse the darkness but to light up the world around us. "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. " (Matthew 5:16)"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."(Romans 12:2)

So moms out there who still have small children at home, do not long to be a corporate executive so you will feel needed and important. The most important job you have is what I like to call 'raising leaders for the future'. Look at it as an opportunity to make a difference in the world around you through your children. This is not to say everything will always be perfect but the foundation will be there. "Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him" (Psalm 127:3). The years are fleeting and before you know it those years will be behind you .

"Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street." (Lamentations 2:19)

PRAYER: Lord there may be moms out there who were unable to raise their children for the Lord for whatever reason. Help comfort them and assure them that their prayers are still heard even for their adult children. You can restore the years the locust has eaten.(Joel 2:25). Father thank you for the gift and blessing of children. Help our children be guided by the truth and to desire to walk with you and serve you Lord. In Jesus Name. Amen.


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