Why Do We Forget the Significance of this Reward?
Inside: God values the children in your midst. He sees a future, an army of disciples. Children are gifts. Where have we lost the reward meaning when it comes to the kids of the world.They are blessings for the next generation.
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Can I let you in on a little annoyance of mine?
I get tired of people who look at the size of my family and then say hurtful comments.
Wow you must be a saint.
You must like to work a lot.
Do you know how birth control works?
My husband and I have five kids. One girl and four boys. Yes, we are busy, and it can be crazy.
However, those comments hurt.
Many people view me as careless and foolish. You don’t have to add insult to injury when I’m already struggling in certain moments with your uncouth comments.
When I started to think about this, I Googled some facts. Specifically, what does our nation think about kids, what is the average number of kids per family and are children considered rewards.
My intial search led me to the National Children’s Alliance. I was shocked to read theses statistics.
Facts About Children
According to nationalchildren’salliance.org in 2014 (estimations):
- Abortion happened in 21% of all pregnancies.
- 415,129 children in foster care.
- 116,940 children under 6 years of age -abused
- 115,959 children 7-12 years – abused
- 81,025 children ages 13-18 years – abused
- 205,438 children reported sexually abused
- 60,897 children reported physical abuse
God blesses us with kids, they are a gift not something to hurt or to take advantage of.
(Psalm 127:3-5, NLT)
Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.
4 Children born to a young man
are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
5 How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!
He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.
Raising Arrows
What can we learn from the blessing of children?
G: Greatest in the Kingdom.
These young naïve disciples have a humble and believing heart. They are confident in their faith. God wants us to have faith like little children. We don’t question tomorrow because we know that our “Dad” has it all worked out.
About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 18: 1,3-4, NLT).
I: Invaluable
Every child is important to God. Each one has a purpose here on Earth. God hand-picks children for families. This applies to biological and adopted children. God hand-picked each of these kids to play a role in your family, in the advancement of the Christian family, and the nation.
5 How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! (Psalm 127:5, NLT).
F: Future followers.
God needs us to raise God-fearing children to further His kingdom. Young Christians could restore our culture from its brokenness. We don’t know how God will use each of our children, but He does promise that He knows them intimately and their purpose is specific for them.
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13, NLT).
T: Trust.
Our children are rewards to us, but they belong to God. They are only on loan to us on Earth. God loves our children more than we ever could. As a Christian parent, we need to surrender our fears about raising our children. Let go of our “want-ifs” about their future, and give it to God in prayer. We learn to open our hands and give God the best blessing in life and trust Him for the future for our child and for ourselves as the parent.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT).
God values the children in your midst. He sees a future, an army of disciples.
“Your children are the greatest gift that God will give to you, and their souls the heaviest responsibility He will place in your hands. Take time with them, teach them to have faith in God. Be a person in whom they can have faith. When you are old, nothing else you’ve done will have mattered as much.” ~Lisa Wingate
Love this! All so true–I’m about to have #3 and I’m amazed at the things people say to even me, so I’m sure you get a lot of those oh-so-fun comments with 5 blessings on your hands! Thanks for the reminder of what a gift our children are and how God views life. Blessings on your weekend!
Thanks Meredith for the kind words! Blessings on #3!
Have a good weekend.
Julie
Fantastic post! Both my children have ADHD and are on meds. I’m pregnant and get asked, “Another one? What if that one has ADHD too? How are going to handle that?” The same way that God gave me instincts to be a good mother to raise children despite their personalities and despite their “clinical diagnoses”.
Women need to start lifting each other up. In Jesus name. It takes a village and that village is mighty.
God equipped us to be their mothers. They are our greatest blessing. Amen.
Sending lots of hugs and love, sweet friend.xoxo
Thanks Carolina! Huge blessings on this new little life! What an exciting time for you!
Julie
Sad (abortions, need for foster care etc.) and beautiful truth-filled words. I’m so sorry for these hurtful words spoken to you. I’m from a family of six children and I fielded similar comments in regard to my Mum: when they neither truly knew me or my family. May God continue you to bless you and your family. Children are indeed a beautiful blessing from God.
Thanks Anna for the encouraging words!
Julie
I’m sorry for the hurtful words. I’m the mom of three, and my children are in college and highschool and I wouldn’t trade my time with them for anything. They are definitely a blessing: hard work, but a blessing! 🙂
What a beautiful gift they are! I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with such comments. God, however, has blessed you and equipped you to raise the children He has given you… in His ways, by His standards. Great post today. I’m rejoicing in His gifts with you! Following you at Holly’s today. God bless you!
Thanks Julie! I appreciate your words!
Julie
Perks, not pests ~ yes and amen, Julie. I love that you have a large family but am sorry the hurtful words have fallen. My dad was one of 17. Family reunions are the best. All those memories floating around are a gift to me – the later generation. Be encouraged as you raise your brood for the Lord. Those arrows will hit the target well – hitting future generations for His glory. #testimonyTuesday
Thanks Kristi! I need to see His perspective more and less of the cultures.
Thanks for stopping by!
Julie
They are gifts, that’s for sure. It breaks my heart that not every child is treated like one.
Yes Sarah, I agree! We can direct people to what God says about children and pray slowly mind-sets will change!
Thank you for stopping by!
Julie
Children are most definitely a gift and a perk! I think people say things that feel hurtful, but when we dig up that empathy knowing that their life situation is different than ours and their words are probably not meant to hurt, we can process it better. Our daughter is adopted and has significant special needs. Our biological boys both have adhd. People do say insensitive things. I try so hard to let God guide my words and let our story give others insight where they have none and promote awareness. We are all human, though, so sometimes we won’t have the strength in the moment to respond in the best way. I believe that with our hearts aligned with God’s Will, He will fill our gaps when our words just aren’t enough!
Julie, this post is so filled with hope! I know there are Mamas out there feeling insecure from comments like the ones you mentioned and I know that these words will be a reassurance of the truth! Their children are beautiful gifts!!
Thank you so much for sharing this hope with me at #MomentsofHope!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Lori- Thanks for the words of encouragement! In those moments when people ridicule, I try and say something like my kids are huge blessings. That might be the only time they hear that. Instead of getting mad, I should pray for this person. God can use this moment to give me more compassion and love.
Thank you!
Julie
Hi Julie!
I love this! Though I only have 3 kiddos, because we homeschool and I often have friends kids with me that people assume are mine and they say the same things. It is hurtful and there are times I just don’t answer, but then there are many times I look right at them smile and say,” No they are a blessing”. It makes them pause when I do that because they don’t expect an answer, they just tend to speak without a filter and don’t realize it. When I respond in grace it makes them think about the fact that they said what they thought out loud and it changes the course of the conversation.
🙂 I don’t always do it, but when I am obedient to the Holy Spirit, it provides a way to testify of His mercy and His blessings. You are right, they are a GIFT!!
Thanks for linking this post up to the #GraceMoments Link up and for your sweet comment today.
Blessings,
Dawn