Psalm 127:3 “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,  The fruit of the womb is a reward.”

YOUR INHERITANCE

We have probably all read or heard this verse, right?  Children are a gift of the Lord.  Did you know, however, that the word “gift” can also be translated “inheritance”?  That changes the whole meaning of the verse.  Think about it.  If children are just a gift from the Lord, that could imply that He just gave you something.  It could or couldn’t belong to Him.  He could have found it by the road.  You may think little Johnny is such a gift sometimes.  Just kidding.

But if children are an inheritance of the Lord, then that means they belonged to Him before He gave them to you.  He has just passed them down to you.  They meant something to Him before you got them.  It’s your job now to take care of the Lord’s inheritance.

TEACHING MOMENT

You may have a family heirloom you plan on passing down to your children.  Why not use that item to explain this verse to your children?  They need to know how precious they are, and this verse explains that.  They need to know they are the Lord’s.  They belonged to Him long before they came to you.

I’ve said it before, but this verse begs for it to be said again.  We are not raising children.  We are raising child raisers.  One day, Lord willing, they will have children too.  They are to receive them as the Lord’s inheritance, to be held and protected.

Do you see your children that way or do you grow tired of your parenting duties?  I know it is tiresome.  Kids can push your last button.  But if you view them as the Lord’s which you are simply protecting, that will change your attitude (at least most of the time).  Parenting is hard work, but remember that if the Lord entrusted His inheritance to you, He knew you could handle it.

O Father, my children came to me from You.  You trusted me enough to give me what belonged to You first.  Give me the wisdom and strength to guard them well.