Who Finds Joy In Raising Her Children

Don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

I SAT ON THE FLOOR WITH MY BABY BOY and a camcorder. We didn’t have phones for creating videos back then; at least, that wasn’t the device we would have chosen first for high-quality recording. So with the battery of the camcorder charged, I was prepared to do everything I could to capture the moment. I did not want to miss the first time my son crawled. It all felt so special.

I loved watching him reach each milestone as he discovered the world in new ways. Sure, I had been warned of how much work it would be once he could get around on his own. “You don’t want him to crawl yet if you can help it,” friends had warned. “You’ll never get any rest when you have to start chasing him.” And in some ways, they were right. Life was a different kind of speed once my son began to crawl, but it also meant more opportunities for us to explore together. That season, like every one that followed, has been a gift.

Each stage of life, while uniquely wonderful, seems to come with warnings. There are the terrible twos, threenager blues, preteens, middle school years, teenage drama. . . . I’ve been warned about it all from mommas in the middle of each season doing their best to prepare me for what awaits ahead.

But can I be honest? Each season has come with its unique challenges, but it has also brought tremendous joy. I’ve felt both frustration and laughter, pain and healing, hopelessness and happiness. It’s the beauty of being called to love our children just as our heavenly Father loves us.

So—just in case no one has reminded you today: All that love you feel for your own children? It doesn’t compare to the boundless love of God toward you. He cherishes you. He enjoys you. He celebrates you. As Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.”

God has given us the greatest example of how to delight in our children. Tonight we pray that you feel His admiration and affection for you.

Tonight we pray for the momma who finds joy in raising her children. Lord, some days are hard, but she looks for the joyful moments. She celebrates the victories both big and small. She loves the simple parts of being a momma. There are moments when her heart is so full of love for her kids that it overflows into smiles and laughter. Lord, please help her to remember that in the midst of all the trouble in this world, her children are among her greatest joys.

We ask in Jesus’s name, amen.

Father, as I consider how much joy my kids have brought to my life, I thank You for . . .