“Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him” (Psalms 127:3).
When we look down at a peacefully sleeping child curled around a teddy bear, or when a happy smile greets us in the morning, or when a soft voice says, “I love you, Mommy,” it is easy to agree that children are special gifts from God.
It’s not always so easy when your child gets older and develops unique ideas about the direction to take in life, especially if that direction is different from the one that you had planned. Sometimes, during their teens and early 20s, we might be tempted to wonder if children really are rewards!
Childhood is only temporary. Children soon grow up to be adults. Then, the relationship needs to change. We will always be their parents, but we need to treat them with the dignity that adults deserve. We need to treat them as dear brothers or sisters in Christ.
Here are some ways to do that:
—Ask for their opinions.
—Respect their decisions.
—Do not try to manipulate them with guilt or money.
—Pray that God will guide them and have His way in their lives.
Children are truly gifts from God, but not ones that we will get to keep near us forever. As children grow up, they can bless us, not by being our property, but by becoming our dearest friends.
Kimberly Snider is a missionary to the Philippines.
From “Moments for Moms,” a free email subscription.
Copyright (c) 2005 Women’s Ministries of the Assemblies of God.
http://www.ag.org/womensministries