TheWRITEaddiction.com

One of the first scriptures I memorized is an obscure set of verses listed among the songs of Ascents in the book of Psalms.  Sure, I spent enough time in church to memorize John 3:16 as a child.  And I said “Jesus Wept.” over many a dinner plate.  But Psalm 127 came to me as a young adult.  I’m not sure how or why this scripture spoke to me, but I will never forget:

“Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.

Unless the LORD keeps the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; For the LORD giveth his beloved sleep.

Behold, children are an heritage from the LORD. The fruit of the womb is his reward.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.  Happy is the man who hath his quiver full of them.  They shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies at the gate.

Fast forward twenty years from when I memorized that scripture.

It has been a trying week for me.  These three children have driven me to the brink of insanity, only to reel me back in with the warmest hugs on the planet.  The baby, bless her heart, has a melt down every time she spills a drop on the floor.  The problem is that she’s a baby, so there is at least one spill a day.  That’s at least 7 melt downs a week.

My big girl is growing up too fast.  She thinks she’s a teenager.  She stays in bed until 11:30, eats everything she can find, and spends hours on any electronic contraption she can find.

And then there’s the boy, my boy…who was throwing things and climbing on the pews at church.  I thought I might be arrested on Sunday.  Happy?  No.  This mama right here was not happy at all.

A quiver full?  I can’t control these three.  Lord, help the parents with more than that.

Then I remembered the rest of the scripture.  And I consider what strangers have said to me in public.  “You have such well-mannered children.”

“Oh My Gosh.  They are so cute.”

“I wish I had a classroom full of Gracie’s”

“Ernest is the sweetest little boy.  I wish I had 20 more just like him”

Every single time the enemy reminds me of my parenting failures, (and there are many), somebody testifies that my children are amazing little blessings.

They are.  They really are…And I’ll try to remember that as I clean up the umpteenth spill this week.  I’ll try to remember when my son jumps into my arms from God knows where and expects me to catch him.  I’ll try to remember as I drag the big girl out of bed at noon.

Happy is the man.  Happy is the man.

Dear Lord,

My quiver is FULL.  Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Mama Radford

P.S. I like your use of juxtaposition.  Putting the verse about children, right next to the verse on sleep.  Hilarious!