Each Child a Gift

Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him. – (Psalm 127:3, NIV)

Children are a gift from God; they are His reward. – (Psalm 127:3, TLB)

Children are God’s love-gift; they are heaven’s generous reward. – (Psalm 127:3, TPT)

 

This tends to be one of the longest weeks of the summer each year; the week before school officially begins. For those of us who teach or are involved in the public-school system somehow, this week is spent in meetings, seminars, classes, and retreats to best prepare for the upcoming school year. Some of said academic gatherings are great, and the time flies by. However, others are either repeats of what we have done year in and year out, or they are extraordinarily weighty, and make the day seem far longer than we might hope. The reason that we continue to invest our time, resources, energy and heart into what we do, is the very gist of this verse. Children are a gift, and we recognize the value in each and desire to teach and foster growth in each one who enters our classroom. Perhaps if we can see the struggling as God’s love-gifts and heaven’s rewards, we might approach each child all the more delicately and thoughtfully, as to not offend the Giver. May we look at children as gifts from God, just as we do our own, so that we may love them as we are loved by Him.

 

Each child is a gift,

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Photos by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography ❤

From heaven to earth;

A life with a plan,

A purpose since birth.

Our charge and challenge,

Is to help each rise;

Point to discover,

Dreams to realize.

May we foster growth,

And nurture with love;

So each child feels known,

And knows they’re enough.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that children are a gift from You. Thank You that they are heaven’s reward here on earth. Forgive us for the times that we have viewed them as anything less than a gift. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would seek You for strength to love through the struggles, and to equip us to help kids grow in safety, security and trust. Show us how to love those whom You place on our path to care for well, so that they may know their worth in You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we love children as You love us – unconditionally and lavishly. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth (Moreno) Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. – Proverbs 22:6

Live in Love

image from betterbaking.com

image from betterbaking.com

God grants us each,
some spiritual gifts;

they are most useful,
when to Him we lift.
Be firmly rooted,
immersed in His word;
follow Christ’s teachings,
so His heart is heard.
Steer clear of the myths,
mind not old wives’ tales;
train well in His ways,
for they never fail.
Spiritual fitness,
reaps heaven’s reward;
faith to move mountains,
with future secured.
Let our lives be full,
faithful purity;
may all see His love,
and captives set free.
May we watch our lives,
ever diligent;
persevere in faith,
lead lost to repent.
(Responding to I Timothy 4:7-15)
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You grant each of us good gifts, given to be used for Your glory.  Help us to embrace and operate in these gifts, faithfully and wholly dependent on You.  Train us in the ways You want us to go, and grant us ears to hear, hearts to understand, and feet that are willing to walk wherever You call.  Forgive us for not investing all that we ought to in our spiritual training.  Please teach us to trust You more, so that we may rise up and reveal more of You as we live lives of love, unto You.  May many come to know You as we are intentional to seek and serve however we are called.  Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present