Psalm 127 tells us that children are a blessing, a reward, something to be sought after and cherished. Once the Holy Spirit opened my eyes and heart to this passage of Scripture, I never looked back…at least where my own children were concerned.
HOWEVER…
The quote above is a direct quote from…(nervous cough)…me.
MY children are great! MY children are blessings! But, other people’s children? Well, SOME people’s children are blessings. But, SOME people’s children are, well, um…not so, um…well, you know.
Wait a second! Am I really saying I think God only uses children as a reward and a blessing for SOME people and that for OTHER people they are a curse, or at best, a natural consequence?
Oh, I probably never truly spelled it out in those terms, but I do know for a fact I have been guilty of thinking there were people out there who “got pregnant on purpose” or people who had babies “they didn’t deserve” or people who “should really stop having children.” All this from a woman who calls herself QUIVERFULL? Apparently, I thought only myself and a select few were truly BLESSED by God…the rest ACCIDENTALLY got His blessings. YIKES!
We embrace as blessings the children that enter into our own families, but shouldn’t we also be embracing as blessings the children who enter into other people’s families? And shouldn’t we, especially those of us who call ourselves quiverfull, be looking these children in the eye and telling them what little blessings they are? Shouldn’t we be speaking this aloud to their families? If we truly believe the Lord is the one who opens and shuts the womb, then shouldn’t we rejoice with every new life?
Now, I am sure some of you are saying, “What about those babies born out of wedlock?” Well, let’s take a moment to put this issue in perspective. What was the sin? The child being born? NO! As Christians, we really need to examine how we deal with these types of situations. If we ever expect to effectively fight against abortion, we have got to stop seeing the children as part of the sin.
And what about those Christian families who just don’t seem to be able to handle the children they have? If they are letting the Lord build their house, then who am I to say how many children they should or shouldn’t have? I wasn’t winning any parenting awards when the Lord gave me more children! For that matter, I’m not winning any parenting awards right now, either!
So, my perspective has changed. Not only are MY children little blessings, but so are OTHER PEOPLE’S children. And I intend to tell them so!
Kami says
This is such a wonderful reminder! I really needed this reminder about a week ago, to be honest 🙂 My husband and I had a weekend retreat away to a resort in northern Minnesota. Sounds great, right? Well, it was less than great when someone’s kids were running up and down the hallway knocking on every door at 1:30 in the morning!
I definitely needed this reminder then 🙂
Andrea says
All children are definitely blessings. It is too bad that some parents do not realize a part of the blessing requires loving discipline.
Hugs,
andrea
PS: Sitka has an award for you at All Gods Creatures.
Deedee says
This is so true Amy! As foster carers we spend out lives loving and blessing ‘other people’s children’. God is filling my quiver in a very different way! He allowed a medical condition which has ended my ability to carry children – and filled my arms and heart with some of the neediest children in our land! What a priviledge!! And for the record…..other people’s children are alot harder to love than your own!! LOL! :o)
Debbie says
I love the sign, it makes me laugh! However, this attitude of loving and welcoming our own children while looking in judgement at others who are not doing it right does not mean that they, too, are not gifts from the Lord. All children are gifts from the Lord and we need to start practicing that attitude. You are right that our attitudes need to be changed. If we start seeing ALL children as gifts from the Lord, then I think that we would treat others as we want to be treated and we would stand up for those who are being abused and we would love the unlovable.
Michelle says
Thanks for the reminder!
I myself am an out of wedlock child (Gasp!) so I am all too familiar with the judgemental attitudes that some people show towards parents/children in that situation.
But I DO believe and “…know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
I know that in God’s eyes there are no *ooops* pregnancies. God used that sin of my parents for HIS purpose – and in spite of their ‘mistake’ – there are now 5 more members in His flock (myself and my children.)
How nice to know that I was a part of His plan all along. 🙂
Jenn @ A Country Girl's Ramblings says
Beautifully said!
Fruitful Harvest says
Great Post Amy~
I once had the same attitude as you mentioned…but when we moved about 6yrs ago into a neighborhood with many other kids on the block (ie my kids new friends) I had to learn to welcome other children into my home that had parents that seemed not to care. Many were from single parent homes. I went from the sheltered homeschool world to a public school and more kids on the block situation. It was very scary for me….I did not want to get the ick, if you will on my kiddos.
God put us here in this house(I will post about it someday). In knowing that, I knew I needed to welcome{without judgement} others into my home. Welcome the children that did not have a homelife that my husband and I provide to our children.
We are called to bless others….and it seems so easy when its at the foodbank or some other faceless place.
Blessing those around us in our daily life, without judgement can be difficult…..but not for me anymore!
Sorry for the long comment! I guess I could have put my own post together…but I really like come over here to visist! {Your place is homey}
Warm Blessings,
Georgiann
Karyn says
The thing that I have struggled with is the abusive family that keeps having children or the very very poor family that literally can’t feed the children. I believe the children themselves are blessings but I struggle with trusting that God has a reason for placing the children in such dire circumstances.
mosey says
As the mother of an adopted daughter conceived outside of wedlock I applaud this post.. Children are a blessing, no matter what their parents backgrounds were. Each is a beautiful gift and an answer to prayer!
Beautifully written!
I am blessed! says
Children are a tremendous resource- economically, in terms of labor force, and also within our church they are the ones who will carry on the torch. I love this multi-generational thought. I also love the opportunity to teach and influence other people’s children with the Word of God. I’m always sad when a family leaves our church- mostly I miss the kids. What’s sad is when people don’t love or train their children, but every life is ordained by God and He has raised up amazing people from humble and even neglected backgrounds.
Angela says
I thought you were quoting (nervous cough)… me. Yep, I’ve said something like that, too, and before reading your post I’ve never thought about that Bible verse in light of other people’s children. Thanks for the insight….