Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.

— Psalm 127:3

If you have been blessed with children, do you see them as God sees them? In your struggles and challenges in raising children, do you look for encouragement in the Word of God so as not to give up in the task? Psalm 127 declares that children are “a heritage from the Lord,” and happy is the one “whose quiver is full of them.”

Children are a gift from God. And we do not generate children for ourselves; God gives them to us so that we may raise them to know him. Our children need to know that, like us, they are called to live for God and to serve him. God gives our children life and many good gifts so that they can grow to know and learn what their calling in life will be. Their calling might be different from ours, and it might be very different from what we expect. But we can trust that God will guide our children so that their lives will glorify him. After all, God is their Creator, and they are his. They belong to him, body and soul, just as we do.

Our children are a blessing, not a problem or an obstacle in our lives. And as a part of God’s family, they may help us when we are in need, just as other family and community members do.

We are called to love our children and raise them “in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). As God’s gifts, they bring happiness and joy.

Father, help us to find happiness in the children you have given us. May we raise them to know and serve you faithfully. In Christ, Amen.