Saturday, September 26, 2009

Children Are A Gift From God

3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.

4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.

5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

(Psalm 127:3-5)


Before I had my daughter, my life centered around me and my wants. Even though I had a lot of angst about this or that small issue, in retrospect, I had it easy. Yes, there was much of my personal time that I've had to sacrifice, but God really did give us a gift in our daughter. She is a precious life that was entrusted to my wife and I to steward into adulthood.

Even more than that, she adds color and wonder to our lives everyday, and through her exploration, we see the world anew. The love we are able to impart to her, and receive back has really created a family for us that is complete with her -- and we could never imagine going back to our lives as only a couple.

I had no idea what being a parent was like, and it was often hard to sympathize with a fussy baby when I had no clue what parents were going through. There is a softness and patience for all types of situations that develops through parenthood that creates a better person, that I never realized that I needed that kind of improvement.

Children are an integral part of our lives, and the act of procreation is part of the fulfillment of our purposes. There is a completion with children, that cannot be experienced for those who opt not to pursue parenthood.

Today, as I usually do, I rocked my daughter to nap (I generally pace rhythmically to music - recently we've been using Hillsongs "Hope" album), I realized that I have not been fully appreciating my time as an unemployed person. Yes, my family is draining a nice chunk of our bank accounts in order to survive until I can find a job, but I have had all these wonderful days hanging out with my daughter and being her buddy. Together we rise early and watch "The Wiggles" on DVD and share a bowl of cereal together. Then she plays with her toys and we have alphabet time together going through her Winnie the Pooh ABC book that she loves so much.

These are invaluable moments that we won't get a chance to share when I go back to work and the busy life that it inevitably entails. Today as I rocked her to sleep, I danced her a bit as I often do, and she giggled softly as we spun around to the 6/8 timed music. Then she snuggled into my shoulder and promptly fell contentedly asleep. Tears welled up within me as I realized that I have been given such a gift from the Lord.

You see, I have been so concerned about my job search and the frustration of not finding a job, that I didn't realize that perhaps the Lord was withholding employment from me to give me a bigger gift. He gave me this exclusive time to spend 24/7 with my daughter that I'll never have again in such plentiful amounts. In His wisdom, He knew that money will be had over time and through hard work, but these special moments with my daughter -- they are numbered and only last for a season. In a blink, she will be old, wiser than me and ready to conquer the world on her own. With another blink, I'll be walking her down the aisle where she will take on another man's name, and I will cease being the most important man in her life.

But my heart will always remember this day when I danced my daughter to sleep, hearing her giggle as she drifted off to rest. Thank You Lord, that Your wisdom is so much higher than mine. Thank You for this special time with my daughter - what great love You have for our little family! In Jesus' name, Amen.



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