As a family with six kids, people are always making comments about our large family. I used to get frustrated about it. But as I have shared before, I have learned that my attitude and response completely direct the conversation. “Yep, my hands are full of blessings.” “I wouldn’t want it any other way.” “They are great kids!”
I really do mean every word I say. I love being a mom of six kids. I love my large family!
There has been a verse that I have clung to since learning that I was going to be a “large family” momma five years ago- Psalm 127: 3-5
Children are a heritage from the Lord,
offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children 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 opponents in court.
I love the promise here, blessed is the man whose quiver is full. Children are a heritage from the Lord. They are a blessing, and I am blessed to know that!
Sometimes we do joke that the quiver isn’t quite full…
Side note- I have looked this up and I learned that a full quiver can mean anywhere from 2-24… so parents, your quiver is full no matter how many arrows you have. Every family is perfect no matter the size! You quiver is full of love and blessings!
As I was reading my Bible reading this morning, I found myself at the beginning of Psalm 127. Read verse 1 and 2 for me:
1 Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to[a] those he loves.
Unless the Lord build the house, the builder labors in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guard watches in vain.
RIGHT BEFORE my parenting life verse, “Children are a heritage from the LORD.”
So, what does that mean for me? Unless… unless, I am raising my kids WITH the Lord, I am parenting in vain! The LORD does the work, I get to work with Him!
Since starting seminary, it has been so heavy on my heart that we cannot simply add Christianity to our already established worldview. We must see the world through Christianity because it is an accurate worldview.
We must parent our children through the lens of Christianity. Everything we say and do should be because we love the Lord!
We must be intentional about raising up our children to be disciples of the Lord!
Unless the Lord does the work, we are laboring in vain! Don’t parent in vain!
Work with the Lord.
Live your faith!
Teach you kids about your faith!
Live Christianity with your kids!
Show them that being a Christian is more than words and going to Church on Sundays. Show them it is LIFE with the Lord!
Unless the Lord builds the house, you labor in vain. Let the Lord build your house!
Children are a heritage from the Lord… Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them…