I tend to have a little problem. The problem is this…I tend to view my children as mine.
This is quite unfortunate, because ultimately, I know that they do not belong to me. They do not belong to my husband. They do not belong to the government, or the school system, or any other such entity. Some folks would argue that children belong to themselves. I’m sure you’ve heard of “Children’s Rights” legislation. I’m not convinced of this either.
Who do our children belong to then? Our children belong to our glorious Heavenly Father.
Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’S your God, the earth also, with all that is in it.
Deuteronomy 10:14
We all belong to Him! He has a plan for each of us…and He has a plan for each baby He sends. He creates each soul. He gives each spirit. That’s simply amazing, isn’t it?
and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Ecclesiastes 12:7
Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it:
Isaiah 42:5
The oracle of the word of the LORD concerning Israel: Thus declares the LORD, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the spirit of man within him:
Zechariah 12:1
How easy is it for us, with our limited knowledge, to claim our children as our own? Our God is the mighty Creator. He has a wonderful plan and timing for each baby born outside of our limited human thinking. It doesn’t make sense that God would say, “I’ll be the One doing all the creating here, but you just let me know when the time is right for you.” That would take away from God’s sovereignty and His plans for us.
This being said, when a child is born, God has appointed us to be their earthly parent. We need to take this role very seriously. Prior to each parental decision made we should ask, Is this what God would have me do? Do I always ask myself this question prior to making a parenting choice? Unfortunately not. I am a work in progress. Thankfully I know a potter who is more than willing to take the lump of clay that I am and mold me into the parent that He wants me to be.
I know that God loves my children more than I could ever think to love them. That is incredible to me. Wouldn’t He know what is best for them more than I? What a wonderful God we serve!
Be blessed!
~Nicole
Unfortunately, I tend to forget that my Children belong to God. You’re right that we should pray about our parenting decisions. Especially, as they get older. Thanks for sharing!
That’s a great question to ask ourselves, Nicole. My kids are almost all grown and gone, but I still think this is a good question to ask myself when I am dealing with them or for that matter, any decision I make. Great way to put things in perspective–in the perspective of our Heavenly Father. Great encouragement!