The Blessing of Children

Today I met with eight of my associates for a training session. Over lunch the conversation quickly drifted to stories about children and grandchildren. We talked about 2 year old Brad and his applause for the pastor after the sermon. I told the story of our associate pastor's young daughter bypassing Dad to hand her picture to our senior pastor and the laughter it brought to the congregation. Another story was told about taking the grandkids to Disney World without their parents and the truth that the grandparents were as excited as the grandkids or perhaps even more so.

On a cold rainy day our hearts were warmed by these brief glimpses into the actions and words of our children. Just a small reminder of joy children bring into our lives and the wonderful gift of God they are.

Now, at 60, as I look back over my life my fondest memories are of times with my own children and grandchildren. I still tell stories of my kid's antics and sometimes find myself teary-eyed when I remember something they did or said. To this day my favorite Bible book mark is one my daughter Kathee (now in her mid-30's) made when she was 8 or 9. It's worn and frayed but for years it has marked the place I am reading in the Gospels.

Thank you Lord for the gift of children, both ours and those of others. They bring sunshine to our lives on the gloomiest of days.