Have you ever wondered why God created parents? I am confident that God, in His infinite wisdom, knew that we would need someone who would love us unconditionally.
How many kinds of love can you name? We love ice cream, a particular television program, and our spouse; add to those the neighborhood restaurant, our best friend, and of course, our children. It is no wonder the word love gets bandied about so often.
When my children were small, they often asked me which one of the three I loved the most. That was pretty easy. I loved the one who needed it the most at that particular time. Sound complicated? Not really. We expend our energies with our children when they have the greatest need.
When my four-year-old needed speech therapy, I attempted to entertain his sister and brother while he met with the therapist. It was a labor of love but certainly not fun for the two siblings, ages five and one, who quickly grew tired of reading, stories, and games. However, this boy graduated at the top of his class, and we could understand every word of his commencement speech.
When my daughter wanted to be the best twirler ever for the high school band, we drove forty-five miles and back every Sunday for lessons, as well as buying uniforms and sending her to camps. She got a Division 1 on her solo. When her younger brother wanted to go to State in tennis, we paid for instruction, tournaments, racquets, and a stringer. He made it to State twice. In the meantime, we helped with a lot of homework, dried a few tears, and had some wonderful family times.
They were drug children because we drug them to church, church camps, and revivals. We tried to set a Christian example and to work as to the Lord in our jobs. We prayed for them in every step of their lives and saw each of them accept Jesus as their Savior.
As the children grew older, their needs became more significant. My daughter miscarried twice. Our oldest son called, asking us to pray when his ten-year-old was struck by a car. Recently, our youngest son has been going through a difficult divorce. They have each had the typical struggles with raising their own children.
No one has promised that this life will be easy. I believe that is part of the reason God created parents. We are there if our children choose to open their hearts to us to nurture, cry, pray, and help when and where we can. We cannot solve our children’s problems, but we can be available when they need a listening ear or a whispered prayer. Any time you love deeply, you are vulnerable to hurt. That, too, comes with the territory.
When they choose to seek other counsel or go it alone, we grieve, but we do not stop loving. Is being a parent easy? I would not hesitate to say “no.” However, the hard times are when we go to our Father, lean on His everlasting arms, and experience His unconditional love.
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord.
The fruit of the womb a reward.
Psalm 127:3