Your Kids Aren't Yours

I've been thinking a lot about children and being a parent recently, and the more I think about it, the more incredible the whole thing really is. Not just the miracle of life, but the whole reality of whose children they really are. And the reality of it is your kids aren't really yours.

I've had the privilege to do a baby dedication. In the preparation I talked with a pastor friend and he told me that he always mentions that this is not the parent's child, but God's. This is God's son, this is God's daughter, and He has lovingly placed them into your home. Your kids aren't really yours, their God's.

Think about that, God takes His children, and entrusts them to someone else to raise! Can you imagine doing that? After your child is born you go find a couple and you give them your baby to raise. How many parents are willing to do this? (Notice I said baby, not teenager) My guess is not many. Why would you entrust the life of your child to someone else? Why would you put their future, and eternity on the line like that?

I'm not looking down on adoptions here. I understand there are circumstances that people find themselves in, and adoption is a far better option than abortion. Please do not read that into what I am saying. My point is not to say you've messed up by giving up your children, because the reality of it is that in giving them up like that you demonstrated the greatest act of love. You gave them life, and then gave them a chance at living it.

The point of what I'm saying is your children aren't really yours, but God's. He has entrusted you with His most precious possession, and given you the responsibility to point His children back to their true Father. If this was the mindset of every parent how much better would the world be? If we stopped looking at our children as ours and rather began to see them as God's? Each little boy is God's mighty warrior that needs to be trained to join the fight for His Kingdom. Each little girl is God's princess, that needs to see her captivating beauty and unveil it. Each child is God's and needs mom and dad to set their little feet on the path of righteousness that leads to Him.

The reality of it is, God has given you His child to raise. You won't be a perfect parent, you can't be, only He can. But if you will love them, protect them, teach them about their true Father, and help them to follow Him, you will have done all that He asks you to do.

And when it comes to helping them follow, I think the most important thing for a child to learn, or a parent for that matter, is this: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones" (Proverbs 3.5-8).

Teach them to fully trust in God, and not to lean on their own limited knowledge. Teach them to turn to God first and always, and as they do He will make their paths straight. Teach them to be humble and to reverently fear God. Teach them to pursue righteousness and flee from evil. In this they will find peace, and so will you. Children learn best by imitation. If they see you living out Proverbs 3.5-8, it will be that much easier for them to learn to do it too.

Your children aren't really yours, they are God's. Raise them right on His behalf. You will be held accountable for how you raise His children. Do all that you can to teach them to love God, and help them to follow.

"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."

To God alone be the Glory!

Peace be with you