No Better Blessing

Proverbs 22:6
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

My daughter, Sarah, and her husband, John, are doing an admirable job of raising their two girls, Virginia Rose and Savannah Jane.  When they visit us on Sundays for dinner, we are duly impressed by the loving, yet firm, consistency they show in guiding the now four-year-old Virginia in the ways she should go.

When my husband, Danny, aka Papa, and I have Virginia by herself, she never gives us a moment's trouble.  Sure, she pulls stunts typical for her age, like hiding where she thinks we can't find her or "accidentally" encouraging some of her crazy sand to flee the sandbox, or dragging her feet when it's time for Gammie to take her home.  But, all in all, she is respectful, polite, kind and caring, and full of spontaneous hugs and "I love yous."

A child doesn't arrive at such a point without a positive parental input.

Any of us who are, or who have been, parents can attest to the monumental task it is, day in and day out, especially on those days when nothing goes right.  The kids are whiny, cranky, and picking on each other.  Mom has a whopping headache.  Dad returns home from work frazzled and tired.  That's precisely when parents have to kick it into high gear to meet their children's needs before their own.

It is a selfless and, sometimes, thankless job.  One which we, despite our best efforts, fail at time and again as we learn the parental ropes by trial and error.  But, ultimately, when love is in the equation, any obstacle can be overcome.  And, the rewards, in the long run, are worth every precious moment's attention we give to our children.

John and Sarah have gotten Virginia Rose off to a great start, and I'm confident they will do the same for Savannah Jane.

My heart sings as I think that these two girls will grow up loving God, their family, and their friends, and carry those virtues right through into adulthood.

What could be a better blessing than that?

Prayer:  Father, we thank You for the gift of children and for loving parents who willingly sacrifice of their time and talents to instill Your Word and Your love into their little ones.  Bless them and keep them.  Let Your light shine before them.  Help them to trust in Your grace when the going gets tough.  In Jesus' name, amen.