PRIVILEGE OF PARENTING
Children are a heritage from the LORD,
offspring a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one's youth.
Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents in court.
Psalm 127:3-5 (NIV)
Though learning is found in schools, godliness is often received from the education of careful parents.
—Richard Baxter
The role of a parent is unique and a blessing according to the Scriptures. Often in the long days of parenthood, the idea of our children being a blessing is crowded out of our minds with the schedules, needs, desires and frustrations of raising Christ followers.
But we must not miss the fact that according to God, one of His richest blessings to give to a parent is children. They are our heritage. God sees your children as arrows aimed at the heart of the enemy. Is this how you view your parenting? Raising children who wage war on the gates of hell is our battle cry as parents!
One of the ways that the enemy gets some ground in this war is by discouraging parents about their children, or the church being discouraged by young people in general. Unfortunately, many of us who are parents are far more skilled about our children's shortcomings than the blessings they provide to us in the Lord. I know I, for one, have been enrolled in the school of gentleness and patience ever since our firstborn arrived on the earth.
As with most areas of our lives, remembering God's blessing is the start of the journey.
APPLICATION: If you have children, write down 1-3 blessings you have received from each of your children. If you do not have children, write down a blessing you have received from the next generation.
PRAYER: Father, don't let us mistake blessings for burdens. You give children as a heritage to parents. You see children as the reward! Help us to do the same. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?