Mission of Motherhood, Chapter One - Jul. 6, 2005
Question 2.
Psa 127:3 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.
What does this verse indicate about God's view of children?
Children are considered a gift, an inheritance, freely given. An inheritance denotes something of great value. No question that children are of great value.
I am stuck on reward though ... but that's the next question.
When God blesses us with children, why does he consider it a reward?
I was struggling with this a bit this morning. Looking up the definition of reward and the entire connotation is that it is a return ... it is something given in return for good deeds, work, etc. So, I am wondering, why are children called a reward ... what did we do to deserve being given children. How can they be called a gift, which denotes something freely given and then called a reward, which denotes something given in return.
I just found this in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Reward
re―΄-wo^rd΄: In modern English (except when influenced by the Biblical forms) a "reward" is something given in recognition of a good act. In English Versions of the Bible, however, "reward" is used quite generally for anything given, and the term covers the recompense of evil (Psa_91:8), wages (1Ti_5:18 the King James Version), bribes (Mic_7:3), and gifts (Jer_40:5 the King James Version). The Revised Version (British and American) has specialized the meaning in a number of cases (Psa_94:2; Eze_16:34; Jer_40:5, etc.), but not systematically.
OK, so that makes more sense to me now.
Then I found this in Naves, that reward is a motive to faithfulness. Wow! Now that certainly paints a picture. Is there anything else in my life that motivates me to faithfulness the way that my children do? Motivated to seek God, to pray, to know His word and His ways. Time and time again, I hear stories of people turning to the Lord after they have children because they realize the seriousness of it, they need the direction. Praise God then that He gives us the very thing that will drive us to faithfulness, drive us to our knees in prayer, drive us to seek our God.
How does this verse contrast with the prevailing view of children in contemporary culture?
Typically, in this country, we do not cherish the life of a child. Children are considered a burden and an interference. There are those who say that they want children and seemingly they do, but the children are expected to adapt to the parents ... the parents schedule, the parents goals, the parents career. Parents are the center of the home. There is a fear of having a child centered home many times to the detriment of the children. We are not to have either a parent centered or a child centered home. We are to have a God centered home. Now, what does that mean?
Can you stand another example from our church. I hope that I can explain this well
David Rhodes, with wayfarer ministries, spoke at our church a few weeks ago. We talked about having a God centered life. On the stage he had a chair, a globe and a screen door. The chair, of course, represents us. It was in the middle of the stage. The world represents the world. It was to the right of the chair. The screen door represents God. It was too the left of the chair. OK, stay with me here.
Typically we have ourselves in the center. Before coming to know God, we have our chair turned toward the world. We are seeking the world, satisfying ourselves in the world and focusing on the world. We become Christians and we are told to turn away from the things of the world, to turn toward God. So, we turn our chair around and we face God (the screen door). We have now totally turned from the world. We have no avenue to minister because we are so focused on God that we dont even see the needs of the world.
What about this set up. Move the chair to the left, so the screen door is in between the chair and the world. Now, We look at the world but ALWAYS through the filter of God, through His eyes.
That is how we have a God centered home. My responsibility always goes to God first I have a responsibility to God in my marriage. I have a responsibility to God in my parenting. I have a responsibility to God in my friendships. I have a responsibility to God in my ministry. Regarding my children, it isnt about me versus them. It is about what does God want to happen in that situation. But you know, I have really chased a rabbit here so let me get back on track.
How does this compare to your own feelings about your children?
Wow, going to have to be very transparent here. I think that I have been guilty of considering my children a blessing in word but not in deed. I would verbally say that children are a blessing, I had nine children to prove my faith in God, and my belief that children are a blessing. However, I don't believe that my actions were living out what I said that I believed. If I may jump ahead a chapter ... where Sally talks about the woman who approached her and said that she didn't believe she was capable of giving and receiving true love ... that was me.
God has brought me to an entirely different place. A place that sees my children as the gift that they are and treasures them as the rich inheritance that they are. I believe I am learning each day how to communicate that worth to them.
-- Cynthia
