Children Are a Gift From the Lord
Most mornings I get up long before the sun peeks over the horizon. I sneak as quiet as a mouse, careful to walk lightly, down the hall to our kitchen where I turn on the least lights possible and begin to drip the liquid energy called coffee.
Unless it is the dead of summer, I start a fire and light a candle. There is something about a flame in the dark.
I feel like a kid at Christmas every morning I get to do this. I eagerly anticipate a silent house, me curled up on the couch, warm coffee cup in hand, fire adding to the ambiance of peace in my silent home, bible in my lap, journal open, pen ready to record any new revelation from my sweet Jesus.
Prayers flow, Truth is learned, and love, grace, and mercy are experienced.
It fills up my soul so that I can spend constant hours upon hours pouring out to my people: 1 husband and 6 girls, ages 18 months to 11 1/2 years. I’m such a better wife, momma, family member, and friend when I can do this.
Somehow though, despite my naturally quiet presence and best efforts at being so, some little person finds their way down the hall with me. Can they smell me??!! Sometimes it is only 5 or 10 minutes after I get to the other side of my house. In those moments I feel frustration rise to the surface….”can’t I have some time alone?”, I think internally. “I just need some time to myself!” I think, desperate for some moments of solitude, especially in this time of constant togetherness and full-to-the-brim, extra-long days.
This particular morning, I instructed this little person you see laying next to me in a firm tone that if she was going to be up with me, she was going to have to not say a word, lie down, be quiet, and close her eyes. As she drifted off to sleep, nestled safely and comfortably next to her momma, I began to feel a bit convicted and asked the Lord if He would forgive me for feeling so annoyed.
He gently brought to my mind Psalm 127:3 which says: “Children are a gift from the Lord, they are a reward from Him.”
Just the reminder I needed to reset my heart on what I know to be true deep in my heart and mind. The gift of my children from the gift-Giver is not lost on me. I wonder if she will someday fondly remember getting up early with her mother before the sunrise and if it will somehow leave a lasting imprint on her? I hope it isn’t the fleeting moments of irritation that she remembers, but the quiet faithfulness and intentional pursuit that she carries with her in her heart.
