Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Psalm 127:3
Every hour, on the hour, he threw up. When the sun finally began to peek through the curtains, we were both exhausted and ready to call it day.
He was 5.
I was mom.
Guess which one of us got to take a nap.
I am the mother of children. Children who laugh. Children who sing. Children who need discipline. Children who need grace. Children who sometimes put a kink in my plans.
Yet, they are a reward. My heritage, whom I pray will someday rise up and call me blessed…because blessed I am.
It is not an accident that these particular children are in my particular family. They are MY reward…not someone else’s.
But do I treat them like a reward?
Many years ago, I had ONE child. ONE child who made me think ONE child might be plenty. He was precocious, funny, and oh-so busy! Every night, I fell into my bed in tears over my awful parenting skills, wondering WHY the Lord thought I should be a mother.
It was not until shortly after the birth of my second child, that I found Psalm 127 and realized these precious little ones were blessings from the Lord, rewards from a Father who loves me.
And my life was forever changed.
Suddenly, my naughty little boy wasn’t quite so naughty. In fact, his antics weren’t worth the harsh reaction I had placed on them. I began to look at my two little ones and FEEL blessed…rewarded.
So, dear mother of children, count your blessings, name them one by one. They are your reward!
Weekends in the Word is a ministry of Raising Arrows meant to offer a time of worship and encouragement specifically for those mommies who find themselves, due to circumstances beyond their control, unable to attend worship services with other believers. However, all are welcome here each weekend to feast on His Word.
Jenn says
I wanted to let you know that I am enjoying the new weekend series very much. Thanks for the reminder that our children are gifts! Exactly what this mama-heart needed to hear this morning. You are a blessing.
I love the new pic of you at the top of the blog too — you look beautiful!
Jenn
Liz says
Thank you for this! I needed to hear it today.
Clara says
This is so very true – when we’re in those moments when we want to pull our hair out in despair or frustration, then it is even more important to remember that our children are still in the foundational/moulding stage – the “moment” won’t last forever… And yes, they are a gift, a blessing we should never take for granted. Thank you for this wonderful reminder, Amy!
Stacie says
Yes, they are such a blessing. You would know especially since one has been taken away from you.
I loved this post. Thank you for the reminder.
Penny says
It can be hard to remember the blessings and rewards sometimes. When siblings are fighting and while you deal with that, another decides you need more color on the freshly washed, white dining room wall, and then the dog gets stepped on and howls and make the little one startle and cry and ahhhhhhh. Even in the chaos, they are still our reward. And I think on days like this, God must really have a sense of humor.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this with us.
Lisa M says
Excellent post!
Kathy says
Thank you so much for this post! I needed it! At this moment, we are getting ready to attend a wedding in an hour and 15 minutes…followed immediately by my 7yr old daughters spring ballet. My husband is out of town and my children have been into EVERYTHING this morning…is the messes quite as bad as my reaction? NO! I was almost in tears at the frustration of a couple of broken items then kids had managed to mangle, the “Mommy, mommy, mommy…” that seems to echo through the house each time I head to the shower…then,as I passed the computer, I was drawn in…straight to your post…I have two blessings that the Dr.’s said were impossible, but God saw fit to bless me…and BLESSED I AM!!! In this moment, I am making this a better day…I am counting my BLESSINGS!!! They are GREAT!
Megan H. says
Thank you so much for this reminder. It is all too easy to get busy with life and not take the time to recognize that our children are indeed a blessing that God has rewarded us with. I look forward to more of your weekend words.
Kimberly says
I needed this reminder today too. My strong willed child and I have butted heads all day. It is so easy to lose sight of the fact that they truly are blessings…when caught up in disciplinary struggles.
Thank you Amy.
Susan says
Bam! You hit the nail on the head for me! Thank you! My Sunday School teacher hadn’t even opened us up in prayer this morning when a nursery worker was getting me out of class because my little one was screaming, again. I was frustrated. I had the thought of why do I even bother coming. So wrong of me. This post is a great reminder that she is my blessing, my gift, all the time.
aurie says
I am so enjoying this series! We don’t always make it to church (or through the entire service). These are my blessings and I am loving on them all day long. Even the really, really long days!
Gail says
Thank you for sharing this! Our children, even though at times can be difficult, are truly a blessing from God! Thank you for the reminder of this great truth!