His Reward

Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. Psalm 127:3

Today is my son Matthew's birthday. I am excited to celebrate whether he is able to come home or not. He was our first born son 32 years ago and he has been a joy and blessing. I am thankful for his life and his kind and honoring spirit. 

Children really are a blessing and gift from the Lord. The scripture goes on to say in Psalm 127:5 to "let your quiver be full of them" and I know of a few families with more than 7 children. Instead of gasping we should say what a thrill these families are choosing to raise up a family for the Lord. Children truly are a gift and should be treated as such. Not spoiled but trained in godliness. If later on they choose a different path you simply believe in faith God will restore them and bring them back to the truth of His word.

If you are blessed to have children make sure you see your responsibility to train them in godliness and pray for them daily. Take your responsibility of a Christian home seriously. Christian parents are raising warriors and leaders for the future. Keep that in mind stay home mom if you ever feel you are missing out by not being in the corporate world. Children are only with us a short time so if you are able to be a stay home mom be thankful. Mom and dad both have a vital impact in the life of the child. Pray for God to give you his strength in each stage of life of the blessing he has given you and learn when it is time to let go and let God. 

Happy Birthday Matthew!

PRAYER: I am so very thankful for the gift of motherhood. Mend the broken hearts of those moms grieving the loss of a child  by miscarriage or stillborn and restore hope to the hurting parent of the wayward child. In Jesus' name. Amen.

REWARDS FROM HEAVEN

Today my older son has a birthday. If I tell you how old he is you will think I am really old and I am not and do not feel old. But it is a milestone. He is a gift from God!  In God's word children are referred to as a reward. Many parents probably feel strapped by their children or feel like this parenthood thing will never end.Some moms wish they could just have their career back.  There are people who try to have biological babies and never can. Each child is a true gift for God. Children should be given a chance to live in a loving home. Too many babies are aborted for convenience or woman's choice or health issues. The time children are home is relatively short compared to the big scheme of things. I would tell people as a stay home I was raising leaders for the future. If you are a stay home mom never belittle yourself or think you do not matter. Never think you are wasting your education because you are not. The best job ever is to bring those little ones up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. There are no guarantees they won't stray from the path you have taught them but you have God's promises that they will return.(See Proverbs 22:6). We are the parental prayer warriors both when they are babies, growing up and when they are adults.

Psalm 127:3 says "Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him." Do you think about that verse? You could say if you are a parent you got the Blue Ribbon like at a county fair. The best reward yet! I know I feel that way. On this day I thank the Lord for giving us our son Matthew which by the way means "Gift of God" and my other son Jonathan's name means "God's Gracious Gift."

James 1:17 says "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the gift of Life. Thank you for children. Give us wisdom in raising them to serve you and love you. If they have strayed from your path lovingly lead them back. Help their hearts be broken Lord by what breaks your heart. In Jesus name. Amen. 

Note: link to a movie which was in pre release but will return to theaters Spring 2012 and is all above pro life and pro family.
http://www.octoberbabymovie.net/