The Kings and Queens of the Most-High God

“Children are a heritage of the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is His reward” (Psalm 127:3-4).

There seems to be an uprise of covid and flu virus this year. We thank God for using scientist and doctors to develop a way to overcome the drastic effects of the virus. But there is also another uprise in a different type of pandemic. It is the amber alerts for our missing children. Each time I hear about another baby or child missing, my heart drop. It’s hard to imagine a parent processing the emotions of the possibility of not seeing their child alive again.

I asked the Lord, “Why the children, Lord? They are Your kings and queens!” But when I thought about God’s response to Job after he questioned God (Job 38), I quickly digressed and changed my focus! (LOL). Rather than asking the question “Why”, perhaps the focus should be “What can we do to effectively impact the trajectory of the future for our children.”

Children are a blessing and a heritage from the Lord and the fruit of the womb is a reward (Psalm 127:3-5). I love how this scripture refuses to label or categorize "children.” Mama would tell us, “Never tell your children they are bad because if you tell them they are bad they will act bad.”  We tend to attach labels to our children, i.e., smart, not smart, bad, good, disobedient, etc. We fail to realize that labels hide the uniqueness of their God-created design. Notice how this passage doesn’t stigmatize nor dramatize the behavior, color, gender, or age of children. It simply says “children.” In God’s eyes all children are a blessing and heritage. And if the Bible says they are a heritage “from the Lord”, that means parents have the awesome privilege and responsibility to shape and guide them in the fear and admonition of the Lord (Proverbs 22:6). Children learn by watching us. If we do our best to walk in a manner that pleases God, guess who’s watching us?

Here are a few suggestions to invest in the lives of our children:

1.     Put the cell phones down when your children want to interact with you. We must be intentional about "actively engaging” with our children. It doesn’t’ matter about the “quantity” of time you engage with them, but it does matter about the “quality” of time. You can have an effective conversation with them while dropping them off at school, practice. Yes...take them to the store with you! (lol). And when they cut-up in the store, teach them the value of the word "no." Avoid bribing them by promising to buy them something if they behave. Teach them that good behavior is expected and not an option.

2.     Teach them to “fast” from social media. Fasting teaches the importance of humility and denying self. But this will not work if you are not doing the same. Set boundaries regarding cell phone usage. If we fail to set boundaries around social media, it increases the possibility of our children becoming emotionally attached to strangers and detached from us.

3.     Just like you plan a date with friends and mates, plan a date with your children. This will let them know they are just as important to you as your friends and mates. Try to do things they like to do, i.e. ride a bike, go to the park, etc. Even if you are NOT physically able to actively participate, sit and watch them without being on your cell phone. Children want to know you are interested in things they like to do and accepted by you. When they know you accept them, it helps them to discover their purpose.

4.     Talk to them. But remember to “listen” more than you talk. Just because we are older and more experienced, doesn’t mean we can’t learn something from our children. We are living in a different era. IF you really “listen” to your children, they can teach you a few things (lol).

5.     Try not to “go postal” when they tell you something that is disturbing. Refrain from yelling and cussing. You will shut them down and they will be too scared to share things with you in the future. NOTE: If the Lord bless us with longevity, one day we will get old and guess who will have to take care of us…Hmmmmm.

6.     Before you put faith in other people babysitting your children, please, please, make sure the person can be trusted. Just because they appear to be nice or give gifts, doesn’t necessarily mean they are trustworthy. God has given us wisdom and a discerning spirit. IF your gut says “beware” you need to listen and act upon it.

Please know that I am NOT a certified or licensed therapist. But I am a God-fearing, 25+ experienced mother and 8 years experienced grandmother. I just believe that godly wisdom + experience is just as good as a license. Our children are our future. God chose us to raise His kings and queens. We must tell them and show them how valuable they are to us and the world and treat them as such.

For His glory….

Written by Sandra Kelley 3/4/2024