“Enjoy them while they’re young. They grow up so fast!” They say. As we try so hard to understand the wisdom behind those words, said by people who have walked in our shoes of raising children, it’s difficult to analyze what they mean when we’re living a routine that doesn’t allow us to stop and enjoy them.
But before time passes by, let’s take a life pause and figure out what it truly means to raise our little ones with joy.
Even in the middle of chaos, financial strain, late nights, early mornings, and tantrums, God calls us to cultivate our children.
Enjoying them while they’re young means we have a one-time responsibility to mother/father them into adulthood. Daily diaper changes, meal preps, and everything we do on auto-pilot are preparing them for tomorrow. So, while it’s so easy to keep going day after day, let’s stop and see that we’re doing more than surviving.
We’re preparing, plowing, watering, and planting – Until our babies begin their own adventures.
A parent’s role in the child’s life
The Bible describes children as arrows and parents as warriors. An arrow has no authority in itself, instead, it goes anywhere the archer points it. Once it’s released, if aimed correctly, it has the power to impact its intended object.
But, if the warrior shoots the arrow incorrectly, it can cause damage to the bow and even hurt the archer.
We can find joy in cultivating a strong foundation for our kids, knowing that we’re equipping them so that when we send them out they will go far like arrows.
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.”
Psalm 127:3-5 says
Another similar verse reinforces that invested time brings results.
While sometimes it may feel easier to let our kids figure it out, investing time in their development will generate generous growth. In return, when we see them thrive, we will too.
2 Corinthians 9:6 says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
Part of enjoying our kids is to let them see a version of us that leads by example. Will we show them to live a life of righteousness or unbelief? We can intentionally create an atmosphere of peace in our homes, and show them to honor God with their lives, but we have to be determined to walk a life of holiness also.
The Bible says we can’t plant two kinds of seeds in them.
Deuteronomy 22:9-10 says, “Do not plant two kinds of seed in your vineyard; if you do, not only the crops you plant but also the fruit of the vineyard will be defiled. Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together.”
Enjoy cultivating a love for God in our children
Some experiences have transformed and deepened our relationship with God. Without those experiences, we wouldn’t have matured as Christians.
Guess what?! Those experiences are meant to be passed on to our children. They are a testimony of God’s goodness and serve as seeds of faith for our kids’ hearts.
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
As parents, one of our top priorities and wishes is that our children have a good life. Not just when they’re young, but even when they become adults. The Word tells us if we take the time to teach them to honor us, in God, the result will be an abundant life.
Ephesians 6:2-3 says, “‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise— ‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’”
There’s joy in the planting!
The cultivating season is not in vain because our children will continue to live what we teach them. God says in his Word that our children will serve him for the rest of their lives because of what they learned in their upbringing.
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
It takes intentionality and discipline.
Although It may not come easy, we can train ourselves to nurture and enjoy every moment with our children. It might mean we have to sacrifice playing video games or not overly worrying about a clean house, but the results will be evident in their lives.
Hebrews 12:11 says, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Our kids don’t have to stumble to find purpose in their lives. We can raise and prepare them to be arrows that land far.
Scripture will teach us as we teach our kids.
“and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”
2 Timothy 3:15-16
God has given us the tools and grace to enjoy our children. And if we lack a nurturing spirit, patience, or joy, God promises to meet all those needs. He will equip us to walk out our calling as parents.
Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Prayer to cultivate and enjoy our children
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the great blessings you have given me and for the amazing reward of being called Mom/Dad. Thank you because you are training and teaching me to enjoy my kids. I ask you to give me the grace to see my children the way you see them. Put in my mind the thoughts you have for them and in my heart the love you feel for them. Help me enjoy this journey of parenthood, not see it as a journey of survival, but to find satisfaction in raising my children. Help me to be intentional, to communicate, to uplift them.
Most importantly to teach them about your goodness and everything you have done for my life. Please help me to be a role model, and change me in areas where I am not leading by example. Allow me to use the tools you have given me to raise them to love you. I trust that the work that I’m doing, in you, will reap generously and that my children will serve you for the rest of their lives. I know you will meet all our needs.
In the name of Jesus, Amen.