Reflections: Children are a blessing from the Lord

June 20, 2012 / MariaNews.com 

Children are a blessing from the Lord

By Heilin Larkin

“Sons are a reward from Yahweh, children a blessing from him…how blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them” Psalm 127:3,5

In the 21^st century, there are people who see children as a burden that hold you back.  If they do not think that, they think that they use up too many carbon footprints.  I don’t see it that way.  I see children as a blessing and a gift and they should not be taken for granted.  Having children is not a right; it is a gift from God that is ideally given in marriage.  They can teach us so much about what it really means to trust.

When the angel Gabriel came to Our Lady, she was afraid,

“but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour.   Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son and you must name him Jesus.” Mary said, ‘you see before you the Lord’s servant, let it happen to me as you have said.’ And the angel left her.” Luke 1:30-31, 38

She accepted God’s will for her and trusted that He would help her.  We should ask her to pray for us, so that we can trust God in our lives.  With regards to children, He may want me to have two or twenty, but ultimately that is up to Him, as He is the author of life.

There is a lovely pro-life family in America that I have heard of who are non-Catholic Christians.  They have 19 kids on Earth and two in heaven.  They are called the Duggars and they have a show called ’19 kids and counting’ although I would not agree with everything they believe because they are not Catholic, they love Jesus and we have some things in common.  Last year they had a miscarriage around 14 weeks into the pregnancy and they had a funeral/memorial for their child and named her.  This is an amazing witness showing the world how precious life is at all stages.  They also do Bible studies with their children every night and you can tell that their children have a real faith in Jesus.

My own children are always teaching me things in their childlike faith.  My two and a half year old daughter really blows me away at times with her faith.  One Sunday in Mass we were sitting, listening to the priest.  I turned round to her and she lay down and kissed the ground.  Later, when we were going up to communion, she got down on both knees when the priest was holding the host up for me to receive, even though I was standing! Little moments like these really encourage me and help me to grow in my faith.

Below is a little reflection about children;

Children are worth it

Children make you smile,

when the world outside seems grey.

They bring you lots of happiness

and brighten up your day.

When your day is going wrong,

they can make it right.

The joy in their little faces,

can take away your tears.

They show you a glimpse of heaven,

of the Lord who brought them here.

Children are worth the suffering

that parents can endure.

They are worth the heartache

That parenting can bring.

They are worth the pain -

during labour and during life-

Because-

Out of suffering comes joy

Out of heartache comes immeasurable love

Out of pain comes life, love and happiness

Raising children is one of the most challenging and rewarding things that any mother and father can do,

And by the grace of God-we can lead them to heaven.

***

Helien is a stay at home mom based out of Northern Ireland.  She owns and operates an online based tutoring service called Fount of Learning.  Learn more here: http://heilin.wix.com/fountoflearning

Subscribe to MariaNews.com