Beloved, listen to these words and let them resonate within your heart. The blessing of children is a gift from God, bestowed upon us from the beginning of creation. As it is written, “God blessed them; and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it’” (Genesis 1:28). Children are a heritage from the Lord, and their presence testifies to His divine favor. “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them” (Psalm 127:4-5).
The Blessing of Children in Scripture
From the days of old, God’s faithful servants rejoiced in the blessing of children. For example, Noah found comfort in his son, as it is said, “He named him Noah, saying, ‘This one will give us comfort from our work and from the toil of our hands arising from the ground which the Lord has cursed'” (Genesis 5:29). Additionally, the Lord promised Hagar, “I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they will be too many to count” (Genesis 16:10). Throughout Scripture, the blessings of children bring joy, hope, and strength to families. The psalmist declares, “Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house, your children like olive shoots around your table” (Psalm 128:3). Truly, children are a source of delight and a sign of God’s favor.
Emulating Childlike Faith
We must also remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, who said, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:14). In His infinite wisdom, Jesus reveals the necessity of a childlike heart to enter the kingdom of heaven. He states, “Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). Jesus treasures the innocence, trust, and humility of children and commands us to emulate these qualities.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, urges us to embrace this childlike purity: “Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature” (1 Corinthians 14:20). Furthermore, Peter exhorts us to “long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” (1 Peter 2:2). These scriptures remind us that while we grow in wisdom and understanding, our hearts must remain pure and humble before God.
The Role of Families in Nurturing Faith
As we reflect upon these truths, let us embrace the role of children in our lives and communities. Parents, guide your children with love and wisdom, nurturing their faith and teaching them the ways of the Lord. “Children’s children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father” (Proverbs 17:6). Fill our homes with the laughter and joy of children, as foretold by the prophet Zechariah, “The streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets” (Zechariah 8:5).
Indeed, the family unit holds a significant role in nurturing and guiding children. John 16:21 describes the joy a mother feels when her child is born, a profound and universal experience. Paul, in 1 Timothy 5:14, encourages young women to marry, bear children, and manage their households, reinforcing the family unit’s importance in society. As parents and guardians, we must lead by example, showing our children the path of righteousness and the love of God.
Conclusion: A Call to Childlike Faith
Beloved, let us heed the call to childlike faith, approaching our Heavenly Father with the same trust and openness that children display. Jesus said, “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me” (Mark 9:37). May we welcome and cherish children, seeing them as precious gifts from God and emulating their pure and humble faith.
In doing so, we fulfill the words of our Savior and honor the divine blessing bestowed upon us. Let us rejoice in the Lord, for His gifts are good and His love endures forever. Amen.
A Prayer for Embracing Childlike Faith
Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, seeking to embrace the childlike faith that pleases You. We thank You for the gift of children, who remind us of innocence, trust, and pure love. Help us to nurture and guide them in Your ways, teaching them to know and follow You.
Lord, grant us the grace to approach You with the same openness and trust that children display. Purify our hearts, and renew our spirits so that we may receive Your kingdom with joy and humility. Strengthen our families, filling our homes with Your love, peace, and the laughter of children.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
