We had such a good time celebrating the expected arrival of our first great-grandchild recently. It was such fun watching Catelyn and Luke open all the wonderful gifts from family and friends who were in attendance. I don't know which one was having the most fun; Catelyn opening the gift; smiling and laughing as she thanked each giver. Or perhaps, Luke as he tried on the little caps that were given as gifts or sat the little "lovey", that was so carefully crocheted by a long time friend of Catelyn's, on top of his head. And, how exciting it was to get to place my hand on Catelyn's protruding stomach and feel little Oliver James Devlin, moving around ; obviously enjoying hearing his mother's laughter and his dad's remarks.
We have been so blessed in our 57 years of marriage with two wonderful daughters and two very special sons-in-law. God has doubly blessed us with five sweet grandchildren and three grands-in-law. All of them are men and women who love the Lord.
As a grandmother, I have some advice for young mothers of today. Too many young mothers are tempted to meet every need everyone has within and without of the family. They are rushed about trying to get everything done that needs to be done. But, their primary job as mothers is to love the Lord, love their husbands and nurture their children. Everything else that vies for their attention needs to be put on the back burner until they take care of their families first, no matter how noble the cause.
And, too many young fathers are so busy trying to take care of the needs (and wants) of a growing family to the point they don't have time to enjoy their growing children. When children come onto the scene, a couple's whole life changes. If they are the kind of parents they should be, they will give up some of the things they have enjoyed doing ; give up some of the material things they think they just have to have, and devote time to their growing children. Believe me, you will have time for the things you want to do when those children are out on their own.
" Children are a gift from God; they are his reward. " Psalm 127:3 (TLB)
"It's time that Christian families make some radical commitments to our children. It's time for every Christian parent to prayerfully ask: Am I dying to self so that I can be the parent God wants me to be in raising the next generation?" Dennis Rainey
As a grandmother, I have some advice for young mothers of today. Too many young mothers are tempted to meet every need everyone has within and without of the family. They are rushed about trying to get everything done that needs to be done. But, their primary job as mothers is to love the Lord, love their husbands and nurture their children. Everything else that vies for their attention needs to be put on the back burner until they take care of their families first, no matter how noble the cause.
And, too many young fathers are so busy trying to take care of the needs (and wants) of a growing family to the point they don't have time to enjoy their growing children. When children come onto the scene, a couple's whole life changes. If they are the kind of parents they should be, they will give up some of the things they have enjoyed doing ; give up some of the material things they think they just have to have, and devote time to their growing children. Believe me, you will have time for the things you want to do when those children are out on their own.
" Children are a gift from God; they are his reward. " Psalm 127:3 (TLB)
"It's time that Christian families make some radical commitments to our children. It's time for every Christian parent to prayerfully ask: Am I dying to self so that I can be the parent God wants me to be in raising the next generation?" Dennis Rainey
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