I’ve never met a child who schedules out her temper tantrums in advance. Neither do babies ask permission before waking up in the night. Teenagers do not ask which days of the week would work best for their rebellion. And children do not only ask the “easy” questions. Without a doubt, having children can be tough, demanding, and messy. Without a doubt, it is the best and most rewarding task we could be given.
I love how Jacob describes his children to his brother:
And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.” ~ Genesis 33:5
Sometimes in the thick of long days, we lose sight of what Jacob knows so clearly: These are “the children God has graciously given” us! Jacob was able to see past the traveling with slow moving livestock and energetic children. He was able to recognize the hand of God in his own life. He looked past all the distractions and was able to recognize the Giver, as well as His gifts.
These little souls that have been entrusted to us are crafted in the image of God. However small they may be, they house eternal souls. And I hold in my hands the delight and joy of living with them and learning from them – and prayerfully, God willing, leading their hearts to know of the Lord and His great love for them. We will indeed have hard moments, but we will also have golden ones to treasure in our hearts. And we are not left alone to this monumental task of raising them – we have the gift of our own heavenly father who not only loves our children intimately but us as well. He is the one who guides our hands and hearts.
May we each see our children as the God given gifts they are.
Wattsup With Kids 