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,

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

Joy for Our Journey

Blessed are those who make You their strength, for they treasure every step of their journey. – (Psalm 84:5, MSG)

 

This has been one of the longest weeks of the year. The first few days of the week felt like weeks, rather than days – not because they were bad, but rather because they were so full and long. As the week has come to a close, it is easy to look back and identify the moments that I treasured most as a result of God’s grace and help that was supplied. Monday and Tuesday, I was given the strength I needed to endure the final full days of the school year and all of the activities that included. Additionally, I was dealing with my own sweet boys who were sick at home, all the while. The days were long and the nights were interrupted with boys in need. Wednesday arrived and I was again sustained in ways that I would not have imagined, followed by more sleep in one night than I normally get in two nights. It was glorious! Thursday and Friday were unscheduled without agendas, and I treasured the freedom to ebb and flow as I so chose.

He is my strength, my help and my hope, and when I keep that in proper perspective, I see the blessings He brings as I journey along. May we allow the Lord to be our source of strength, so that we may treasure every step of our journey, no matter where it may lead.

 

True treasure is found,

As we go along;

Not in our own strength,

But through the Lord’s strong.

For most blessed are we,

Who trust in the Lord;

He grants what we need,

By Him we’re adored.

Embrace the sweet gift,

His strength and His grace;

Joy for our journey,

Hope to light our way. 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You bless us with the strength that we need as it is needed when we turn to You. Thank You that every step of our journey is a treasure in Your presence. Forgive us for not valuing all that is gained from each step that we take along the path on which You lead us. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would embrace the difficult with the enjoyable, knowing that You use both to grow us and show us more of You. Lead us to love others in a way that reflects clearly the goodness and grace that You so generously give. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be exalted O God, as we trust You to be our strength and treasure every step of the journey You have set before us. Amen.

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

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad. – 1 Chronicles 16:31