PARENTHOOD, a CHALLENGE - the BIBLE, a GUIDESample

Psalm 127:3 (NLT): Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.

1 Samuel 1:11 (NLT): And she made this vow: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.

The desire to have a child

The family is a gift from God. The desire to have children is, therefore, very legitimate.

Unfortunately, in Christian circles, we have often emphasized a compulsory progression in our walk with Christ around the family theme. Unwittingly, we have sometimes replaced a progression inthe Christian walk, sanctification, with a visible progression of our marital and family status: single,we aspire to get married, then have children... as if that were the only goal to achieve.

We have left generations of single and married Christians without children, suffering and confused about God's plan for their lives.

Some will build a family during our earthly pilgrimage, and others will not. And that is just fine.

It is essential to ask the right questions. Why do we want to "make" a child?

• To be like everyone else and meet the standards of our local church or society - that is a mistake!
• For a self-centered desire to do better than friends, neighbors, or parents - it is a mistake!
• Because the biological clock is ticking and the number of candles on the cake is dizzying - it is a mistake!
• Because we feel that God wants to entrust us with a soul to grow in God's ways - that is the right place to start!
• Because we believe that God wants to entrust us with a human being with a destiny to fulfill on this earth - this is the opportunity to love them, protect them, and lead them to be fulfilled adults who can fulfill God's plan for their lives. Yes!
• Because it seems to us that our family is not yet complete and that God has another person to entrust to us - there is still room for another child in our hearts.
• Because we want that child to receive eternal life - we have the proper disposition of heart.

Bringing a child into the world is a heavy responsibility that lasts a lifetime. Children are precious in God's eyes.

Whether that child comes into your life by accident, by rape, or by a desire to build a family, God is at your side to raise them, love them and lead them to Himself.

Let's love the children God entrusts to us, whether in our own family or a wider circle.