His Reward

So I do not want to hear about my "girly" voice or any way I am speaking. Those who have children already understand. You talk that way so that you get a response from the baby. It is scientifically proven that babies react to high pitched noises...so keep those comments to yourself.... Anyways, I thought my mom and family and a few others would enjoy getting to see Hope and how she has grown. It really is quite amazing how quickly they grow. Hope is now 6 weeks old and doing well; although she has had a bad cold for the last week (compliments of me...who got it from Ricky Sallee). You will notice in the videos how she waves "Hi" when told to...really she did. (I don't think she knows what she is doing though.) She is trying her best to talk, but the "coo's" are all she is getting out. The funniest part is when I am trying to get her to say "I love you" when I know she can't, but Alex in the back ground is overwhelmed and starts to mutter the words himself...very funny. Grace almost makes it through 2 videos without being seen or heard, but she finally gives in. How I thank God for our children. Stacey grew up as a only child and when she was pregnant with Grace she once asked me "How can you love another child the same?" I couldn't explain it, but we both enjoy it. Now we have three blessings. Bible says in Psalm 127:3 "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward" No, we are not the perfect family. No, we are not the perfect parents. No, our children don't always act perfect; but I wouldn't change a thing. I love practicing Alex's multiplication tables and sitting at Grace's tea party. I love beating Alex at a game and letting Grace win Go Fish. I love watching Alex ride the riding mower and Grace give Snickers a treat. I love how Alex thinks there is a dessert with every meal and how "full" he is before he asks for that dessert. I love how Grace is already counting the sleeps until Christmas and tells her neighbors why Bratz are evil. I love hearing both of them say "Afraid of Obama, don't trust McCain, Chuck Baldwin for President." And I look forward to sharing and making more memories with Hope as well.
I still get sick when I hear young people speak of how they "don't want any kids." I believe that is what is meant in Romans 1:31, "Without Natural affection." I couldn't imagine life without our children. We live in a world today and unfortunately our churches the same, where parents are trying to always dump off their kids. They enroll them in every activity under the sun, they ask before church activities "do we have to bring the kids?" While I understand and enjoy a "time away" occassionaly myself, we ought to have a desire to keep our children close, to spend time with them, to get their hearts. Have you ever noticed the silence when the kids are away? For a few minutes its awesome...then...loneliness. My past few trips out of town and out of country both brought a great hurt in my soul being away from the children. How you miss them so badly and a conversation on a phone just makes it a little worse. Recently Grace learned my cell phone number. While Stacey tries to monitor this, occassionaly durring the day Grace finds a way to call daddy...wouldn't trade it for the world.

If God has blessed you with a child or children, spend some time this weekend with them. Listen to them, talk to them, play with them. Children are a reward from the Lord, and I am so thankful for my His rewards to me!