Children are a Reward

Psalm 127:3-5

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;
They will not be ashamed
When they speak with their enemies in the gate.

How often do we really consider our children a reward? I know I get frustrated and short more times than I would like to count. They ask me questions after question and sometimes I just can't think because they talk so much.

But today, at my sister-in-laws baby shower, I heard the kids giggle and the baby making sweet little baby noises and we sat around and watched her open lots of diapers and wipes (It was a diaper & wipes shower and she's already had the baby) and we talked about kids growing up so fast. It made me remember...cause let's face it, I have to be reminded lots and lots that my kids are a reward, a blessing and my ministry. 

How I interact and react to those precious little girls is making a lasting impression on them.....either a negative or positive. I'm far, far, far from perfect. I make mistake after mistake and sometimes feel as though I'm not getting anything right. But, I am also reminded that I'm not my mistakes and I cannot live in the moment of my mistakes. Thank God he forgives and strengthens and is a God of change. I know I've mentioned change throughout other posts but really, that's what God is to me (among many other amazing things). Everyday I'm reminded how He's changed me for the better. I cannot go through this life without Him. I need Him for strength, focus, clarity, comfort, direction, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. 

I know when I look at my girls I want them to know the love of God. What better way to show them than to live it out in front of them by the way we treat them, speak to them, talk to them, hold them, laugh with them and comfort them? I'm working on all these things but I sure hope my girls always remember the good instead of the bad.