Monday, February 27, 2006
Protect this House! (Count: Psalm 127)
Here's a chapter I usually talk about at Weddings, thanks to the influence of Wes Hartzfeld and probably Roger Peugh.
"Unless the LORD builds the house, its workers labor in vain." Psalm 127.
Who are you living for?
Who are you "arranging your life" around?
Usually, it's yourself. Sometimes, it's your boss or your work. Sometimes, it's the person you're trying to impress.
But unless your work is centered in God's heart, you are clearly wasting your time. A very powerful message.
The other verse that jumps off the page goes like this...
"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from Him."
A few thoughts about this...
- Yes, children are a great blessing!
- I think all couples who would like to have kids must realize that it happens ONLY in God's time and ONLY because He chooses to bless. NOT because we are little 'gods' who can have kids any time we want. We can't. Too many wonderful couples struggle with infertility and miscarriages that are painful reminders of this. We cannot create life on our own. God must bless.
- Unfortunately, some assume that a couple without children is 'cursed' rather than 'blessed.' While some of these couples do feel intense heartache, I don't think God views it as a curse. I don't think God is raining down judgment upon these couples. My wife and I have been one of those couples, losing our first child to miscarriage. That heartbreaking loss has opened the door for countless OTHER blessings in our lives.
- God does have other rewards and blessings to give out. Like a wonderful marriage that pulls together and deeper. Like couples who decide to adopt needy children or go into full-time missions. Like growing a heart that lets God build the house however He wants and being excited and content with God's "architecture" in your life.
After saying all of that, I know I am blessed to have kids like Allie and Luke. I do not take them for granted. Because of that, I am committed to being a husband and a father who builds our house on the foundation of loving and fearing God.
"Unless the LORD builds the house, its workers labor in vain." Psalm 127.
Who are you living for?
Who are you "arranging your life" around?
Usually, it's yourself. Sometimes, it's your boss or your work. Sometimes, it's the person you're trying to impress.
But unless your work is centered in God's heart, you are clearly wasting your time. A very powerful message.
The other verse that jumps off the page goes like this...
"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from Him."
A few thoughts about this...
- Yes, children are a great blessing!
- I think all couples who would like to have kids must realize that it happens ONLY in God's time and ONLY because He chooses to bless. NOT because we are little 'gods' who can have kids any time we want. We can't. Too many wonderful couples struggle with infertility and miscarriages that are painful reminders of this. We cannot create life on our own. God must bless.
- Unfortunately, some assume that a couple without children is 'cursed' rather than 'blessed.' While some of these couples do feel intense heartache, I don't think God views it as a curse. I don't think God is raining down judgment upon these couples. My wife and I have been one of those couples, losing our first child to miscarriage. That heartbreaking loss has opened the door for countless OTHER blessings in our lives.
- God does have other rewards and blessings to give out. Like a wonderful marriage that pulls together and deeper. Like couples who decide to adopt needy children or go into full-time missions. Like growing a heart that lets God build the house however He wants and being excited and content with God's "architecture" in your life.
After saying all of that, I know I am blessed to have kids like Allie and Luke. I do not take them for granted. Because of that, I am committed to being a husband and a father who builds our house on the foundation of loving and fearing God.
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It's really hard to know what it must be like not to have any kids. We are so grateful for our kids, but along with that blessing comes such a responsibility to raise them up in a manner consistent with biblical teaching.
I understand Vicki Caswell has written a book on the subject of not being able to have kids. I've not read it, but I hear it's great.
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I understand Vicki Caswell has written a book on the subject of not being able to have kids. I've not read it, but I hear it's great.
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