Cherish Your Heritage

Psalm 127:3 (Amplified) "Behold, children are a heritage and gift from the Lord, the first fruit of the womb a reward”.

The news headlines have been full of articles of parents (mothers and fathers) seriously injuring or murdering their children. A father (20 years old) slammed his 14-month-old child’s head into a wall and threw the child against some furniture. The child died of severe head injuries. A mother (35 years old) accused of beating her 13-month-old to death. The child had injuries to the skull, spine, and neck consistent with being shaken. One mother (27 years old) killed all three of her children over the course of a year by suffocation – 2-3-month old's and 1- 4-year-old. Yet another mother (22 years old) also, killed her three children by suffocation, a 3-year-old, 23 months old, and 6 months old.

This news is heartbreaking to say the least. Yes, I get it, parenting can be hard and very challenging, especially if you’re trying to do it alone. After all parenting was intended by God to be done by two parents. No matter how hard or challenging parenting may get, no child should lose a life at the hands of anyone, especially a parent. A child’s relationship with his or her parent(s) is the most important one they have and we as parents are to cherish that relationship, value that child, and show them love. We are their first teacher. Let's teach them "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control". Galatians 5:22-23

Yes, we may have to discipline and correct them sometimes to help keep them on the right track but we are to also nurture them and extend to them loving care not bring harm to them and certainly not to murder them. Proverbs 19:18 ESV “Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death”.

Now I do not believe that these individuals decided in one minute to bring harm to their children. I believe that the results of their actions built up overtime from past hurts, wounds, brokenness, bitterness, and anger. This is why it is important for us as parents to have an outlet. We need at least one person that we trust to be able to talk to and release stress and if they are not available, pen your feelings in a notebook or journal and yes, we can definitely talk to the Lord. He always has time for us and understands our every challenge, frustration, and circumstance. The point is, is to get it out (frustrations, anger, hurt, etc.) so that we won’t take our frustrations and anger out on our children. If you notice that you are getting very angry and frustrated with your children just walk away to another room to regroup and then come back to deal with the issue or situation. One of the many scriptures that got me through when my children were young was Isaiah 40:11 (NIRV)” He takes care of his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms. He carries them close to His heart. He gently leads those that have little ones”. If we go to Him. the Lord will lead us and guide us concerning our children.

Jesus loves all children. There is a Sunday School song we used to sing “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red, Brown, Yellow, Black and White. They are precious in his sight. Jesus love the little children of the world’.

He loves them but He entrusted them to us to nurture and care for them. To aim them in the right direction. To train them up in the way that they should go. (Proverbs 22:6) Search us (thoroughly). O God and know our anxious thoughts; And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in us And lead us in the everlasting way.” Psalm 139:23-24 Let’s take our parental responsibility seriously. Let's show our children that we value them. They are our rewards from the Lord. Let’s cherish our heritage!

Lord we count it an honor to parent the gifts that you have blessed us with to parent. Lead us and guide us as we raise them in the fear and admonition of You. As we submit to your leading, and you increase our discernment, may you add your super to our natural and do supernatural things in and through us and the lives of our children all the days of our lives. Amen!