Today's society says that children are nuisances. They make life harder and cost lots of money. The Bible says much on children and the blessing they are.
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Psalms 127:3
Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; Genesis 1:28
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table. Psalms 128:3
Her children rise up and call her blessed; Proverbs 31:28
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17
My husband and I were married for under a month before we found out that we were expecting our first child. It didn't come as much of a surprise to us as we had decided before our marriage that we would allow the Lord to determine when we were ready to have children and how many children we would have. We were so overjoyed to be blessed with a precious baby so soon! We had been taught by our wonderful parents the amazing treasure and blessing each and every child is.
Many would probably say our choice to have children so early in our marriage was a bad one. We should have spent more married time as 'just a couple' and not had the distraction of having a baby there. Learning more about each other and married life.
But, my husband and I can't image our lives any other way. Our first born son, born 8 months after our wedding (born at 37 weeks - 3 weeks early) has brought us so much joy and taught us so many priceless lessons!
I don't have my house spotlessly clean everyday, toys are often spread out on our floor, laundry is never caught up, and we didn't/don't have fancy romantic dinners every night, but I have an adorable little son to train and teach the ways of the Lord to.
And having a child hasn't brought stress to our marriage - it has strengthened it! It hasn't separated my husband and I - it has brought us closer. It has taught my husband and I how to seek the Lord for strength and courage for the rough times and to thank and praise Him for the many blessings and fun times!!
Today as I played with my now 15 month old - I was thinking
about all the little and big things we would have missed if we didn't allow the Lord to
bless us with him early in our marriage.
I wouldn't have been hearing his precious laugh today as I was playing peek-a-boo with him.
I wouldn't be hearing his sweet little voice say "Momma" & "Dadda" everyday.
I wouldn't be getting kisses from him at nap time and bed time - and other times spread out the day.
I wouldn't be seeing him play with his horses for hours and then say "horse" for the first time.
I wouldn't have the hundreds of pictures of him that I've already taken.
I wouldn't have learned first hand the joys of motherhood and the preciousness of a newborn in your arms.
Children are a huge responsibility and a precious soul that takes much time and love to train - but in every way worth it! The scripture promises that if we do our jobs as parents right our children will not depart from the training.
"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6
In March we will be welcoming a second child to our house - as I carry this child and feel it move I am overjoyed for the blessing it will be and we're excitedly waiting for it's arrival.
Two years ago on Christmas Day we found out we were expecting our first blessing from the Lord, our lives have been forever changed and when we are old we will be happy & blessed!
