Children Are Blessing of God

“Children Are Blessing of God”

Mark 10:14 “When Jesus noticed this, he was angry and said to his disciples, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.hen Jesus 

 

Introduction:

A peaceful and blessed greeting to all, especially to all parents, and those who wanted to become parents. May this blog of mine find you in good health, full of joy, and experiencing peace in fulfilling your duties as parents. Although we face many challenges, let us not become tired or stressed by our children, as they are the fruits of our love as partners or spouses.

So that we may always have joy and enthusiasm in fulfilling our duties as parents to our children that God has entrusted to us, we must understand that children are a blessing from God to every couple who are bound by love. I apologize to every couple who are not yet bound by marriage, because this is a very important gift that you can offer to your children: the legitimacy of their birth in this world. The relationship of each parent is not enough that they are bound by love only, but they should also be bound by marriage; this is the only way to concretely express the blessing and presence of God in our relationship as spouses.

So, children, as your offspring, parents should not view and consider them as a burden, or a heavy responsibility to accomplish. This is because they did not ask to be born into this world. They also did not choose you to be their parent. The sexual relationship between a woman and a man is not an activity that is just for satisfaction; instead, it is a reflection of their love and appreciation for each other. In other words, when two people of different genders have built an emotional and physical relationship, they want to be connected to each other forever, for life, and in all aspects of life. Therefore, they must be bounded by marriage. In marriage rites, they will receive the blessings and anointing of God, the Almighty. So, not because of issues, concerns, and problems in life that they experienced as they journey as a couple will they separate easily. You must find ways of overcoming these circumstances in life and strengthening your relationship as a couple.

 

GUIDE FROM THE HOLY SCRIPTURE:

Our gospel lesson in this blog is taken from the Gospel of the Lord Jesus according to the Apostle Mark 10:14: “When Jesus noticed this, he was angry and said to his disciples, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’” This is part of the passage that starts from the first verse. The Lord Jesus was surrounded by people who wanted to listen to his teaching and preaching; the topic that was being discussed at that time was about the expulsion and separation of the husband or wife. The Pharisees asked the Lord if it is proper for a man to separate from his wife after they had agreed to part ways. They raised this concern, not because they wanted to be cleared, but because they’d wanted to arrest Jesus; they’d wanted him to disappear from their society. He was an obstacle to them because they were enjoying infinite privileges, influences, and other forms of favor. Due to his preachings and messages that was contrary to what they taught to the people, the good number of Israelites who rebelled against them was increasing. So, that's how much they’d wanted to find faults against the Lord Jesus.

For this reason, they’d raised this concern, but the Lord Jesus' answer was contrary to the law that Moses laid down for the Israelites. He twisted the definition of marriage between man and woman. According to the Lord, this is a state in the life of a man and a woman that is eternal; it is for a lifetime. This is the real defined plan of God, for a married man and woman to be together forever. The justification of those who opposed Jesus Christ was that this was allowed and was among the laws laid down by Moses. The Lord Jesus explained that Moses did this because of the stubbornness of the Israelites.

During that gathering, more women and mothers were among the crowd, with their children. It is understood that most of the mothers, when they sojourn, they bring with them their children, especially when going to the temple and gatherings to worship God. In the culture and customs being observed and practiced by the Israelites, in the crowd and conversation of the elderly and those with sufficient minds, this scenario was not acceptable; there should be no children in their gatherings and conversations. So, the disciples, following their tradition and culture, did not hesitate to rebuke the parents, especially when they attempted to bring their children closer to Jesus so that he could bless them.

It was in this moment that the Lord Jesus rebuked his disciples not to hinder the children from coming closer to him, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Why did the Lord Jesus say this in describing the child? How about those who are older than them and have enough understanding? Children have unique characteristics that we should learn. They may not be as intelligent and capable of expressing their will and understanding as the older ones, but we can learn a lot from their character and behavior. Their character, their personality, is just as sincere, without any selfishness. Their hearts are pure, without selfish motives, without harboring resentment. Their whole being is pure. So, the Lord Jesus reminded those in the crowd, unless anyone becomes like children, they will not enter the kingdom of God. To be like a child in their character and behavior, having purity in the heart, not having selfishness and not harboring any resentment. This should be our personality as child of God in order to inherit the kingdom of God.

Therefore, to every parent, it is a challenge for us to consider our children as a blessing, a gift from God to us couples. That is why we should love, guide, nurture, and care for them. Actually, being hands-on in their life is not forever; it is not a lifetime. This situation will change every moment of their life; this will only last until they become fully mature individuals who can stand on their own two feet.

 

WHAT LESSON WE MUST LEARN:

So, as parents, let us learn the duties we are supposed to fulfill towards our children. When we enter the state of marriage, we should be ready for the duties inherent in being a married individual. We cannot just take it easy. These are the things within us that need to be transformed when we enter the state of married life mentally, emotionally, financially, in sacrifices, and in many other ways. Therefore, when we became married persons, we leveled up our maturity as a persons. Our behavior, how we act and think, is no longer like a child. In short, part of marriage is parenthood in the real sense. There might be a couple who do not want to have a child, but most couples pray to God to bless them with a child/children, because a child is the fruit of the love of every couple for each other.

When we aspired to have a child/children, we were always mindful of the responsibility/responsibilities inherent to our role as parents, because every child is a blessing, a gift from God to us as a couple. It is our duty to love them, and we should not consider them a burden. Since they are a blessing from God, they must be loved, cared for, and guided because they are entrusted by God to each couple. Therefore, as an expression of the love of parents for them, they must be given time. This is not a question of the length or shortness of the time that we will spare to them, but quality time, time that can be planted in their memories and feelings, which they will carry with them as they grow up. Let us not be complacent that we have given them material and financial satisfaction and contentment. Although, this is part of the duty we must fulfill. That every parent must also strive to have a noble, humane, and godly way to earn for the proper living of the family.

I feel sorry for the children at the market, waiting for each customer in the fish and meat section to buy them an eco-bag. After school, they go directly to the market to sell until the market closes. Some of them still wearing their uniforms, they still carry their school bags. Instead of playing with their fellow children after their classes and experiencing the life of being a child, they help their parents earn a living. I talked to some of them. I asked them why they do it; according to them, in order for them to have pocket money when they go to school because their father's and mother's income is not enough. One of them replied that they have nothing to eat because their parents are unemployed.

Parenting is complex and full of challenges. No matter how long this blog of mine is, it is not enough to convince or explain to you that children are a blessing from God to every parent. That every parent should take good care of their children. What is needed and what is important is the conviction of every couple that they will fulfill their duties to their children with full confidence and peace of mind because every parent is an instrument of God so that the new generation of humanity can experience the fullness of life that God wants for everyone and prepare them to become good, productive, and just citizens of the society created by God.

To my fellow parents, this is an encouragement to you. Let's look at our children and give them unparalleled value because they are God's blessing to us parents. The most brilliant crown of every parent is to see our children prepared to have a good personality and prepared to have a bright future through correct and humane education.

 

CONCLUSION:

Being a good parents, this is what our experience now that our two children are adult already, matured and professionals, it is very challenging, satisfying and happy role. This is because we understood fully our role, we love them thoroughly, cared for them, guide them and accompany them in most of our journey as couple and as church workers. We talk to them nicely, and explain to them how important for them to have a rounded, inspiring and exemplary character. We told them, that this is a very rich capital, that even, financial and material wealth cannot overpass.

Now, both our two children are enjoying the field of specialization they had chosen. My wife and I has given them liberty to chose what degree they would like to pursue. As they start in their career path, we deeply emphasize to them that they will not shift to other path at the middle of their schooling. They had to finish what they had started, if they will change to other tract, they will do it after they’d finished their first choice, and it is their sole responsibility already for the other tract they’ve wanted to pursue.

That’s how we accomplish our responsibilities to our children, we gave them equal treatment, no one is most favored and no one is not. Well, as a pastor, in our effort to fulfill our responsibilities to our children, God is our companion, He is the ultimate source of our strength, joy and peace in fulfilling our role as parents. God bless to all parents. Amen.