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 one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.
Many times, as I've had the nerve to shop at WalMart, I've been tempted to question our text. WalMart is an expose of bratty kids, and, in their unbridled show of undiscipline, I have a hard time seeing them as a gift of the LORD. There is nothing worse than a bratty kid. The scary thing is these kids grow up, and so does undiscipline. The tragedy is, this side, and this sight, of our society is becoming more the norm than the exception. Society pays dearly for this sorry failure, on the part of inept parents, to instill in their children the very underpinnings essential for emotional and social stability. But, having said all of that, let me quickly state that there is nothing more enjoyable, endearing and encouraging than a well disciplined child. That doesn't mean they're mature, but that they are faithfully and carefully receiving the ingredients essential for maturing into young men and women of character. Knowing the tone of Scripture, it can only be in this vein that the writer of Psalm 127 would say, "children are a gift of the LORD." The writer of the Proverbs "warns" us that "Train up a child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it." God has certainly blessed us with the ability to procreate, but that blessing will turn into a curse unless we also take into account God's gift to create; which is that sobering ability and responsibility we have to mold and fashion this child into all God intended our child to be. As parents, this should be our deep and constant prayer and care. Sarah and I just spent four days, at Thanksgiving time, with our children and grandchildren. That included three daughters, three sons-in law, and 7 grandchildren (ranging between 1 week and 11 years of age). All the while, we were able to say, "Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a reward." I say this carefully, knowing that Satan never quits, but, with deep humility, sincerity, and prayerfully, we thank God for parents who gave us three of the most outstanding sons-in-law one could ever ask for. We know it didn't just happen. Someone poured into their lives what we now appreciate. We are thankful for young parents who are giving us the blessing and joy of grandparenting some incredible grandkids. It's not easy, but they are committed to giving their children loving discipline, and they are slowly but surely reaping what they have sown. We are thankful for the privilege God gave us of raising three of the the most wonderful girls one could ever be privileged to raise. They have made us proud wherever they go and wherever we go .Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate. Amen!
Many times, as I've had the nerve to shop at WalMart, I've been tempted to question our text. WalMart is an expose of bratty kids, and, in their unbridled show of undiscipline, I have a hard time seeing them as a gift of the LORD. There is nothing worse than a bratty kid. The scary thing is these kids grow up, and so does undiscipline. The tragedy is, this side, and this sight, of our society is becoming more the norm than the exception. Society pays dearly for this sorry failure, on the part of inept parents, to instill in their children the very underpinnings essential for emotional and social stability. But, having said all of that, let me quickly state that there is nothing more enjoyable, endearing and encouraging than a well disciplined child. That doesn't mean they're mature, but that they are faithfully and carefully receiving the ingredients essential for maturing into young men and women of character. Knowing the tone of Scripture, it can only be in this vein that the writer of Psalm 127 would say, "children are a gift of the LORD." The writer of the Proverbs "warns" us that "Train up a child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it." God has certainly blessed us with the ability to procreate, but that blessing will turn into a curse unless we also take into account God's gift to create; which is that sobering ability and responsibility we have to mold and fashion this child into all God intended our child to be. As parents, this should be our deep and constant prayer and care. Sarah and I just spent four days, at Thanksgiving time, with our children and grandchildren. That included three daughters, three sons-in law, and 7 grandchildren (ranging between 1 week and 11 years of age). All the while, we were able to say, "Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a reward." I say this carefully, knowing that Satan never quits, but, with deep humility, sincerity, and prayerfully, we thank God for parents who gave us three of the most outstanding sons-in-law one could ever ask for. We know it didn't just happen. Someone poured into their lives what we now appreciate. We are thankful for young parents who are giving us the blessing and joy of grandparenting some incredible grandkids. It's not easy, but they are committed to giving their children loving discipline, and they are slowly but surely reaping what they have sown. We are thankful for the privilege God gave us of raising three of the the most wonderful girls one could ever be privileged to raise. They have made us proud wherever they go and wherever we go .Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate. Amen!
Thanks Dad:) We have learned well from you and Mom.
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