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.
Psalm 127:3-5a

They come to us as infants: tiny bundles of blessing. They seem so little to have completely captured our hearts. In that precious moment of new birth, we know they are God’s blessing. No one has to convince us. Our hearts. Our minds. The marrow of our bones.  All in.

But as time passes, sometimes we forget. Most days may be filled with laughter, joy, and assurance that we are both liked and loved. But there will be those days. Sleepless nights. Vomit. Crashed fenders. Half-done chores. Back talk. Cell phone data charges. A speeding ticket. Whether they are 2 or 22, our children are a source of blessing, wonder, frustration, delight, and challenge. We wouldn’t trade anything for the privilege, but as a homeschool mom, there were days I dreamed of the big yellow school bus taking them away – if only for an afternoon.

Through my children, God has taught me many lessons.  He has used them to bless me. I have learned that I am not nearly as wise, kind, or patient as I thought I was. I have learned that I am much less selfish than I ever thought I could be. I have learned that no sacrifice is too great, and that I can rise to any occasion when my child’s health, hopes, or happiness is on the line.

Because I’m a mom, I’ve learned what I always knew in my head, but needed to know down in my gut: it’s not about me. My life, my mothering, my homeschool parenting – all done for Him and through Him.  It’s all for HIS glory.

Without the privilege of motherhood, I’m not sure I ever could have understood God’s unconditional love for me. It only began to make sense when I embraced my own children and felt that fierce, devoted, unconditional love flowing through me for each of them.

Without the privilege of motherhood, I'm not sure I ever could have understood God's unconditional love for me. Click To Tweet

Children are a blessing. Do you know that? Do you believe that? Does your daily life reflect that?

Our days with them are limited. Take it from a mother of adult children: time will pass much more quickly than you thought possible. I challenge you to be strategic and intentional in making every day matter. Each day is one to be celebrated, utilized, and spent wisely. I lament any day I squandered on surviving rather than being fully present.

Our children are a blessing because it’s through them that God teaches us much about Himself. They are a blessing because He uses us to bless, teach, and encourage them to go forward – to people and places in the future that we ourselves will never meet and never go.

If you are a mom today, you are blessed. Treasure them and thank Him.