They're His.

I have been doing this awesome bible study on being parents. And the one that I read today really spoke to my heart so I thought I'd share my thoughts. 

Today's was about giving our children back to God. I know this is something that is so important and Matthew and I are strong believers in allowing our children to become what God has called them to be. We even gave them names that we knew the Lord would use them to fulfill. Malachi means "messenger of God." From the day we found out that Malachi was a little boy to this day still we pray over his life that he will be God's messenger. We aren't sure how God is going to use Malachi. But we know that however He will, He is going to use him to do big things. And then Elianna means "My God has answered me" and Myra means "to flow from". We are believing in the name of Jesus that God sent us Elianna not only to answer our prayers for a little girl but also to be an answer to other's prayers. And as for her middle name we are believing that in the name of Jesus that His love will flow from her just as her name means. Matthew and I take naming our children very seriously and it's something that we don't take lightly. We actually already have our next boy name picked out for whenever God wants to bless us with another baby boy. 

So what does it mean to give your child back to God? To me it means that I have to trust that God is in control of their lives. Yes, I am their momma. And that will never change. But I'm only here to do whatever God leads me to do as their mom. As much as I'd like for them to do what I want I know that it's ultimately up to the Lord. And Matthew and I will do our very best to allow them to become all that God has created them to be. This gives me so much peace to know that their lives are in His hands. I love that in the devotion it talks about Jeremiah 29:11. I think it's so important as a parent to remember those words. And to place our children's names in the blanks. 

"For I know the plans that I have for Malachi," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper him and not to harm him. Plans to give him a hope and a future."

And the same for Elianna. "For I know the plans that I have for Elianna," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper her and not harm her. Plans to give her a hope and a future." 

How awesome is it that the King of heaven and earth makes a promise to give our children a prosperous and harm free future? He is such a mighty God and  I trust that He has mighty plans for my children and my future children. 

Psalm 127:3-5

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

I love this passage from Psalms. I love how it says that children are a reward! Even though some days I don't always feel that way, God always does. Being a parent isn't easy. But God promises that He will be there every step of the way. So even if you're feeling drained from the every day stresses of being a mom or a dad, just know that God has rewarded you and He never creates a life that isn't valuable or worth living!! 

As you go on to read this passage, it says that a man that has many children should be happy! Children are not a burden and I really hate how society has put this label on how many children you should have. When Matthew and I tell people that we want 8 kids they look at us like we are crazy! But why? Right here in the greatest book of all it says that a man with many children should be happy! They are blessings and rewards. We always hear from other people things like "Once you have two you'll want less." Or "You'll change your mind once you see how expensive they are." But guess what? Matthew and I have yet to change our minds about how many children we feel that God wants to bless us with. Even with two that are sixteen months apart. Others make it out to be a bad thing that we had our children so close together. But it happened just as God planned it to be and I'm okay with that! And if He wants to give us another one tomorrow or ten years from now I'm okay with that too. Needless to say, God is in control so there's no reason to fear or worry about my children or their future.  As long as Matthew and I are chasing after God, there is nothing left to fear. I'd rather have a house full of children than a nice car and house and material things or a 3 pension job. 

I needed to read this today. It was a stressful day with two very cranky babies. Malachi had to go see a doctor all the way out in Woodbridge which is an hour from here. He had no nap and Elianna didn't nap very much either. Once I got them both to bed I was feeling so stressed out. But God spoke to my heart and told me to read my devotion. So I did even though I really just wanted to turn on the tv and drown out all of the thoughts and noise of the day. But I'm glad I did because He gave me exactly what I needed to hear. Isn't that who He is? Thank you, Lord for melting away my stress and filling me up with your hope, love, peace, and joy. And thank you for my children and my husband!