Giving life is a privilege that God has reserved for man. The spiritual world, angels and demons, does not produce life.
Our story does not begin at birth
Each of us has a history that begins long before we are born.
Long before our conception, we already existed in the heart of God (Jeremiah 1:4-5; Psalm 139:13-16).
Jeremiah 1: 4-5 « 4Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,5Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. » KJV
Psalm 139 : 13-16 « 13For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.14I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.15My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.16Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. » KJV
The Lord God knows us from all eternity. And in the times that He has predicted, He brought us into existence.
A child is a blessing
Psalm 127: 3 « 3Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. » KJV
Children are both a heritage, a reward and a blessing that the Creator bestows upon His creatures that we are. The Christian must take this as a fundamental truth, which will determine his relationship with his children. We must accept each child as a blessing, not a “bummer” in today’s world where the search for personal satisfaction and fulfillment is paramount; and this even if the child arrives at a time that we consider to be inappropriate and his presence may change our plans.
The child who is appreciated will be able to flourish and, in return, appreciate his parents. On the contrary, if he is ignored, he will have difficulty in developing normally, but also in respecting his parents.
We are used to hearing that children are the pride of their parents. Proverbs 17:6 also teaches us that «fathers are the glory of their children»
Proverbs 17: 6 « 6Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. » KJV
Accept the child as he is
There is a need for acceptance in every child. One may not accept a child because of his gender (one wanted a boy and had a girl, or vice versa), because he was not desired, because of a disability or difficult character.
We should remember that God, through His Son Jesus Christ, has accepted us as we were despite our sins and transgressions.
The fact that the child feels accepted and loved will constitute an emotional base that will allow a harmonious development.
Consider our children as well
Another essential need for the child is to be considered. The child needs to feel that his parents know he is there and that he has an important place in the home. This allows him not to develop inner frustration.
Children will always make themselves noticed, even by asking nonsense or questions that may seem absurd.
Children who develop in an environment where they feel respected grow up with a “emotional reservoir” that fills up daily. They are also more likely to be emotionally stable as adults.
Let’s not compare children
Awkward comparisons between children can create a feeling of rejection. In the vision of the heavenly Father, parents should treat their children fairly and equitably, without distinction between them, without for example, loving one more than another.
It was Jacob’s special attachment to Joseph (Genesis 37:3) that caused him problems with his brothers, even though later God used his trials to raise Joseph.
Genesis 37: 3-4 « 3Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. 4And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. » KJV
Some parents even compare their children to those of neighbours or other families, praising these children and not their own. Some people think that doing this will help their children to behave better or excel in certain areas. In reality, they will only create frustration in the hearts of their children.
Let us give our children to God
Keeping the Word of God is not a guarantee of salvation for our children; their salvation, as ours, rests on the grace of God and the action of the Holy Spirit more than on our efforts to bring them to the Lord. We have, however, a great responsibility: to act with conscience, to obey the instructions of the Word concerning everything about our children, but also to live our personal consecration before their eyes.
In conclusion: children are a gift of God; they should be accepted as such, with gratitude and be raised by us for the One who has entrusted them to us and to whom they belong : the Lord.
