CHILDREN

Children. A word that stirs at a mother's heart strings. A mom spends 9 months carrying a child in her womb, goes through the labor pains of birth, delivers, and her whole world changes. No matter what anyone says...the change is spectacular. Not easy, but spectacular! And when she has the opportunity to experience it more than once, each time is as if it were the first. Each child is loved the same, each child is worth the same, each child is as spectacular as the first, yet each their own special person.


As children grow, life with each child grows in different directions. Though some may be closer, geographically wise, there is still the same fullness in a mom's heart whether they are far or near. Jimmy and I had the opportunity as adults to move from the comfy, cosy, closeness of our homes. Geographically, we moved five hours away from our parents which, at that time, could have been the same as moving up north. Though we were away and on our own, I know the hearts of our parents were as close to us then as they were when we were living in the same town.


Sometimes, we as children, no matter the age, go through difficulties and situations that break the hearts of our parents, leaving them in mourning for us as we travel through these times. No child can ever know the agony of a parent until they themselves become one and have that experience. Moms in particular carry the emotional stress of wishing they themselves could take the pain of a child in order to relieve or eliminate the child from an awful experience. And no matter what else is going on around her...that child is forefront in her mind.


I think that is the way it is with our heavenly Father. Except, He DID take the pain and agony. He DID suffer so we would not have to. He DID stand in the gap that we might have joy and peace instead of heartache. It is ours to have NOW. All we have to do is believe, trust and accept the gift He has to offer. Why is it so hard sometimes. Why do we think we are so undeserving? He paid the cost and made us deserving.


So today, I am thankful for my children, all four. I am thankful for the joy they bring. I am thankful for the opportunity I have to pray for them, intercede for them and for their heavenly Father who has made them worthy to love and be cherished.


I am not a perfect parent as He is. But I love them so deeply and am able to do so because He loves them through me. Thank you Clark, Alix, Graham and Whit.