"Their children are a blessing"

We're making a big breakfast for the family this morning.  It's a lazy morning and a breakFEAST (as my teenagers call it) sounds like a great idea.  French toast is on the griddle, bacon is cooked, and eggs will be done soon.  Banana bread is in the oven.  Yum! 

Better than all of the delicious foods listed above is the fact that Mark and I are fortunate to be called children of God and along with that privilege comes this promise:  The godly always give generous loans to others,and their children are a blessing." Psalm 37:26

Do you know what that means?  That means that our children, all five of them (and the others that we consider children) are blessings regardless of the day, their attitude, our attitude, their address, their state of life in this very minute, our frustrations, busy schedules, whatever.

God has promised us this in His word.  They are blessings - encouragements, special favors, mercies, and benefits (www.m-w.com).  They are no accidents in our lives.  God has given them to us for reasons that He had in mind and part of that reason is blessing.  They are favors or gifts bestowed by God (www.dictionary.com). 

Take a look around you at the children placed in your life.  God has given them to you; they are blessings. Be thankful.  Enjoy them today. 

You're in Good Hands

(This is for Amanda - I owe her so many apologies for my fledgling attempts at parenting!  I have more love for her today than the day that they placed in her in my arms and thankfully she still loves me, too)  

AllState insurance will tell you that, "You're in Good Hands with AllState".  The message?  That you can trust them.  They have what it takes to walk with you through accidents and disasters and they are going to take better care of you than anyone else could ever imagine doing.  


This is the message we need to let our children know.  We need to tell them that they are in good hands. 

Point 3 from this week's message is:  Remember your child being able to trust you is more important than you being able to trust your child.  I have known this for a long time; my daughter is 21 and through our trials and victories this is a lesson that has been hammered home.  Sometimes I was good at it, sometimes I failed miserably.  However, thanks to God's grace and mercy, we have reached the point of her adulthood with a strong and trusting relationship. 


Don't get me wrong - your children and my children can be trustworthy people of great integrity.  However, they deserve to know that when they mess up (and mess up they will, no matter how small or large the egregious choice may be or what consequences this will bring) they need to know that they can find safety in the arms and hearts of their parents.  They need to know that  we'll be parents, that they can be kids, and we'll see whatever comes their way together, with God, in love. 

Today, find a way to let your children know that they're in good hands with you.