3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward. Psalm 127:3 (NKJV)
By Bro. John L. Cash
“Children. When they’re little they step on your toes. When they grow up, they step on your heart.” I used to hear adults say that when I was a kid. It sounded reasonable at the time, but I always wondered if it was true.
Now that I’m a grandfather, I’ve had enough time to think it over and decide for myself whether or not it’s accurate. I’m sure it’s true enough for some parents, but I’ve found that a lot of parents are cynical about life. It’s almost as if they’re looking for the worst part of any situation — including experiences with their own children. But the Bible teaches that children are a “gift” from the Lord. When God gives us a blessing, we ought to rejoice and give thanks to Him.
If I wrote a proverb about raising kids, it would be this: “Children. When they’re little, you have to do everything for them. But when they grow up, they’re a great comfort to you.”
That’s certainly been true in my experience. Both of my sons are such a great comfort to me. And since they are unique individuals, they’re helpful to me in many different ways.
I always tell people, “I have one son who’s an educator and another son who’s a carburetor. This works out so well. Sometimes in life I need a proofreader, and sometimes I need a plumber. And when I need the one, the other won’t do.”
And all this is something I didn’t see coming. All those years when I was wiping noses, looking for missing shoes and helping with phonics, I never stopped to think that one day my babies would be grown men — good men who would help me in my life. It’s a wonderful blessing in life that your children grow up to be your helpers and your friends.
So that’s my word of hope for you today. When you’re in the midst of teething and diapers, or carpooling and multiplication tables, or those difficult teenage years, it’s easy to lose sight of what the Lord has planned for the future. May the grace of our Lord be with you this week.
Rejoice and be glad.
Dr. John L. Cash is the “Country Preacher Dad.” He was raised in Stuttgart, Arkansas, and has spent the last 32 years being a country preacher in the piney woods five miles south of the little town of Hickory, Mississippi. He recently retired after 28 years as a Mississippi public schoolteacher, and is now a stay-at-home-grandpa with his new grandson, Landon Cash. He and his lovely wife, Susan, have just moved into a pretty brick house in town (where Baby Landon is learning to crawl.) Their kids include Spencer (age 26), his wife Madeline (age 26), and Seth (age 23), and his wife Leanne (age 22). You can send him a note at brotherjohn@ilovechurchcamp.com.
