Children are a Blessing

Watching our grandchildren playing in the snow I’m reminded of my younger days, enjoying the winter activities available to us in the warmer climate of the United Kingdom. That was mainly tobogganing, no skating on rivers because the water never froze over during my childhood due to the warming of the river from the cooling towers of the old coal fired generating plants. Occasional snow ball fights with siblings and friends were enjoyed maybe two or three times a season. Being the youngest sibling I didn’t fare well on such occasions! 

Dad and Mum always took the time to ensure we were well dressed for the climate and the activities we engaged in. We were fed well and often had excess energy to burn off. The picnics in the countryside, games in the corner of a field and just enjoying the beauty of creation from a vantage point high up in the mountains are memories that have brought much joy and laughter as my family gather occasionally and recollect days gone by. 

The greatest gift Mum and Dad ever gave me though is a foundation in the values taught in God’s word. Sunday school, Bible classes, youth group activities and regular Bible reading as a family before bed.  

In Psalm 127 we are told that “children are a heritage of the Lord” and having witnessed the miracle of the birth of a child I am convinced of the awesome responsibility of raising children to know the Creator of the universe and everything in it. The word heritage can be taken to mean that they are an heirloom or something passed on. Our children will become young adults all too soon and leave the safety of the home, venturing into a challenging world to make their own way. 

I try to make sure that I pass along my love for the Word of truth that has been passed on to me, like planting a seed and praying that God will encourage that seed to grow and blossom, eventually to bring forth fruit to His glory, As parents we are instructed to teach our children Godly ways and the importance of the two great commandments from Matthews gospel. We read about the lawyer who thought he could trick Jesus into saying something that would get him to contradict the Old Testament teachings or the laws of the Roman rulers. He answered very clearly as we can read in Matthew 22:36-39: 

Master, which is the great commandment in the law?   Jesus said unto him, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."  

Back in the early days of the nation of Israel, there was clear instruction given to teach our children to love God. In the record in Matthew’s Gospel that we have read, Jesus is quoting from an Old Testament book, Deuteronomy chapter 6: 4-7; 

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:  

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.  

If we pay close attention and follow the instructions of God to His people, reiterated to all mankind by Jesus we will begin to change the thinking of our children as they grow in maturity.  

Let’s do our best and be diligent to put in our children’s and grandchildren’s fertile minds the seeds of love that Jesus and his Father have demonstrated to us. 

John 3:16 

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever would believe in him should not perish but have everlasting life.