Children Are a Blessing!

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD:  the fruit of the womb is a reward. Psalm 127:3 NASB

     When my little ones ask me where they came from, I tell them that; one day God told us that He was going to send us a very special present because He loved us so much. And that sure enough one day we got a gift all wrapped up in a pretty pink (or blue) blanket and when we opened it up, it was YOU!. They just beam to think of themselves as presents being opened but that is just the truth, that's what they are. I go on and on telling them how happy that made us and how we thanked God and called everyone we knew to come and see our beautiful gift from God.


      We should tell our children, and often, that they are blessings! We should speak that into them and say in front of others. When people compliment me on my children I reply that, Yes, my children are blessings! Pastor S.M. Davis says that a criticism aired in front of others is 100 times more humiliating and that genuine praise, sincerely given in front of others, is multiplied 100 fold as well!

     I've had to play the referee for countless squabbles. Trying to listen to both (or even more) sides of the story;  sorting through who said what and who did it first and on it goes like unraveling a tangled bunch of hopelessly knotted twine. It takes two to fight--always. So, when my children engage in this--rather than trying to get to the bottom of it, which can be quite time consuming and pointless, I sometimes simply take them aside and ask "What are children?"  Correct answer: Children are a blessing. "Were you being a blessing to your sister or ?" "No?" "Well, that's what Mommy and Daddy expect you to be because that is what the Bible says you are. So, I'm going to give you a spanking for not obeying us in that." That was the infringement. It no longer hinges on finding out who said, took, did, looked, meant or anything else. They simply fell short of living to bless others. They don't argue this point...they get it, fair and square.


Cherish and protect these precious treasures because they are gifts indeed, straight from the hand of God!

This one came in blue!  Peter Luke 2 weeks

James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Feeling tied down?

 Here is a sweet poem entitled, Tied Down, an excerpt from the book, The Path to Home, by Edgar A. Guest (1881-1959) expresses our view of the blessing and reward of children.

Tied Down, by Edgar A. Guest

"They tie you down," a woman said,
Whose cheeks should have been flaming red
With shame to speak of children so.


"When babies come you cannot go
In search of pleasure with your friends,
And all your happy wandering ends.
The things you like you cannot do,
For babies make a slave of you."


I looked at her and said: "'Tis true
That children make a slave of you,
And tie you down with many a knot,
But have you never thought to what
It is of happiness and pride
That little babies have you tied?


Do you not miss the greater joys
That come with little girls and boys?
"They tie you down to laughter rare,
To hours of smiles and hours of care,
To nights of watching and to fears;
Sometimes they tie you down to tears
And then repay you with a smile,
And make your trouble all worth while.


They tie you fast to chubby feet,
And cheeks of pink and kisses sweet.
"They fasten you with cords of love
To God divine, who reigns above.
They tie you, whereso'er you roam,
Unto the little place called home;
And over sea or railroad track
They tug at you to bring you back.
The happiest people in the town
Are those the babies have tied down.


"Oh, go your selfish way and free,
But hampered I would rather be,
Yes rather than a kingly crown
I would be, what you term, tied down;
Tied down to dancing eyes and charms,
Held fast by chubby, dimpled arms,
The fettered slave of girl and boy,
And win from them earth's finest joy."

You Don't Have to if You Want To

Hannah, me James and Tom in the garden.

I love the phrase..."You don't have to if you want to" and I've been using it alot with my kids lately. It really makes them think, especially my 5 and 8 year old boys.  :) But, there's a catch... it applies to me too! Yes, it's always convicting to hear the things we so lovingly and wisely say while instructing our dear little ones.

Mild maids Ruth and Mary

This is the barn that Jeff built.

There are so many seemingly mundane, repetitious, not-so-significant things Moms do.  I remember one time when I sighed to my husband's co-worker that it must be nice to be able to get his work done. Once a barn was built and delivered it was finished. He asked what I meant. I complained that my work was never done. He lovingly pointed out that it certainly was done...my family wore clean clothes, ate nutritious meals, lived in a clean house and had a Mom that loved them. That was my work and it was getting done and my job was to keep doing it. That helped me see things clearly again. Maybe that's why God chose the wording "keeper at home", because we must keep on keeping. 

Dishwasher Joe

All done! Pete folding clothes.

This concept can really change our perspective when we apply it to different areas of our work. Just think of the difference between having to make dinner...and wanting to.  After all the most important ingredient is love. Or viewing laundry as drudgery or...loving service to our precious family. I sometimes lift a little prayer for the one who's clothes I'm folding. And dishes can actually be a special time of prayer and praise, with the right heart. 

Jeff and Me and Tommy on his birthday!

                                                                                                                                                    Years ago while I was getting up with my
first newborn I realized that I didn't have to if I wanted to and it made all the difference. Instead of his cry being a rude interruption to my much needed sleep it was a welcome invitation to be with him, to nurse him, comfort him and watch his dreamy smile. Those were fleeting moments that I didn't want to miss!


The following poem has long been an inspiration to me.
Publish Post

Boots

Home Duties

Though life may seem useless and empty and vain,

Ours is the task to help others in pain-

Soothe little scratches and kiss the bruised knee,
Patch little troubles and peacemakers be.

Nothing ourstanding-no fame will we know;

We work for our families, helping them grow.

Hannah and Sarah and chocolate chip cookie dough..yum!

We homemakers aren't sent to a far, foreign field,

Our home is the place where to Christ we may yield,

And truly be Christians, doing God's will,

In these little duties our mission fulfill.

Humdrum occupation? You may say it is so,

But it takes our very best efforts, we know.

You wonder perhaps what satisfaction can come

From the small, humble duties required of some?

Joe, Seth, James and Ruth butchering antelope.

Serving at home to women was given,

To let our light shine and to gain all of heaven.

Though some may belittle, may our motto e'er be:

"As you've done unto others you've done unto Me."

Pete and Joe bringing in the wood.

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men: Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ" 

Col. 3:23, 23.

Hannah's roses

                    A humdrum occupation? You may say it is so... but, I love the variety my life-choices have brought and wouldn't change the way I am spending my days for any other role. Here is a partial job description: teacher,nurse, herbalist, nutritionist, midwife/doula, coach, referee, counselor, gardener, chef, baker, domestic engineer,interior decorator,childhood development specialist....
                      I remember the pressure I felt in high school to figure out what I was going to "be" and "do". There were so many options. I wanted to find something meaningful and a way to help people..and to make a difference in this world. God has blessed me in calling me to be a wife, mother and homemaker and continues to fulfill all of the desires of my heart.


Psalm 37:4Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.