This post is sixth in the Psalm 127 series "Live Like a King."
~ ~ ~
I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.
~ Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (NKJV)
Each of us has a different idea of what location, type of food, and music makes for the perfect party. But no matter what feast is celebrated, we'd all agree that an essential component is plenty of people.
For most of us, family is first on that list.
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one's youth.
~ Psalm 127:3-4 (NKJV)
In ancient times, people comprised an important element of strength and wealth, whether the warriors and loyal subjects of a king, or the workers and children of any man.
Children not only enable a man to build up his possessions with their labor and stewardship, but also extend their parents' influence and legacy to the children of another generation. Whatever other comfort one may attain in old age, loving children are a treasure above all others. As our children produce more children, riches become exponential.
The presence of children is not only important for a festive celebration. Children are cause for celebration.
When you eat the labor of your hands,
You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
In the very heart of your house,
Your children like olive plants
All around your table.
Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD.
Psalm 128:2-4 (NKJV)
Whether by choice or by providence, plenty of people have no children. Some are grateful for that. Others ache for what might have been. And a good many parents also ache over less-than-loving and estranged children.
If such people fear the Lord and yet are somehow denied the joy of children, does the psalmist err to count children among their blessings?
Or is the psalm perhaps inclusive of prophecy concerning another family?
… Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD …
Paul evidently had no wife or children, yet spoke of Timothy, Titus, and Onesimus as his sons. Peter likewise spoke of Mark. All three of John's epistles lovingly address his recipients as "my children."
If we name Jesus as Lord and are adopted children of His Father, we are members of an eternal family, our spiritual blood tie more enduring than any natural or adoptive bond. As we mature and mentor others, we raise up a new generation of spiritual sons and daughters. As our children produce more children, riches become exponential.
This eternal family, these sons and daughters, are an important part of our spiritual strength and wealth. They extend our influence and legacy.
They are cause for celebration, and co-celebrants when we feast—both now and in the Father's kingdom.
Father, Your kingdom come. Please make us faithful as we raise up the next generation of saints, by Your power and grace.
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or e-mail – use @gmail.com *after* buildingHisbody
Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Showing posts with label Children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Children. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Feckless
My youngest is now six. This rerun from two years ago is one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy.
feck·less \ˈfek-ləs\ adj 1: WEAK, INEFFECTIVE
My four-year old drools in his sleep.
Some mornings, there's no damp pillow or cheek. Yet moms know. I'll cuddle him to wake up and catch a whiff of the telltale smell on his sweet face—and I hardly intend to quit cuddling to wash him. Later, an older sister may hold him and say, "Daniel smells funny." At some point, he'll get a bath to take care of all the funny smells which cling to four-year olds.
He's learned self-control where nighttime bladder issues are concerned. Yet when it comes to keeping his mouth closed during sleep, I can't help but like the word feckless.
I recently read a compelling line from The Sacred Romance by John Eldredge: "Unsettled, we turn and walk quickly away, like a woman who feels more than she wants to when her eyes meet those of a man not her husband."
Yikes.
I'd only noticed men who give women a slightly too appreciative glance before looking away. Are the secrets hidden in a woman's heart just as easily laid bare?
Men have the reputation for lust. I don't see their lust for sex much different from women's lust for romance, whether in frequency of thought or in the danger for compromise.
I've heard, "Feelings aren't right or wrong—they're just feelings." This lie from the pit of hell is the devil's tool to convince us that lust, wrath, pride, and an entire host of other emotions are justified. We think them our own secrets, which hurt no one. We see our hearts somewhat like our cars. We pass through the midst of hundreds of other cars but think of our space as private—while it's surrounded by glass.
Like the invisible dried spittle on my son's cheek, we unwittingly reveal our hearts and the evil emotions in them. We may dwell on such emotions and feed them, and eventually act upon them. If forced to confront those emotions, we justify them as no more than human.
The Creator indeed allows us anger, which can motivate us to defeat unrighteousness as it did David against Goliath. The Lord allows us enough pride to care about how we're perceived, so we'll work toward displaying the love, joy and peace He puts inside of us. God gives us sexual desire to unite ourselves with our spouses—body and soul—and to reveal more clearly divine union with us which is His desire.
Satan and flesh would use these good emotions for evil.
It's said sinful emotions are like birds: you can't prevent them from flying overhead, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.
We must indeed battle sinful emotions every day that we live on this side of heaven. We must remain aware of the dire consequences which follow if we fail to fight.
And we must remember to draw near to our loving Father, whose will is to continually wash us of sin's odor—even as He looks affectionately upon our humanity, which renders us feckless.
Your comments, questions, and respectful disagreement are most appreciated. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments, or e-mail buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
~ ♥ ~ ♥ ~ ♥ ~ ♥ ~
feck·less \ˈfek-ləs\ adj 1: WEAK, INEFFECTIVE
My four-year old drools in his sleep.
Some mornings, there's no damp pillow or cheek. Yet moms know. I'll cuddle him to wake up and catch a whiff of the telltale smell on his sweet face—and I hardly intend to quit cuddling to wash him. Later, an older sister may hold him and say, "Daniel smells funny." At some point, he'll get a bath to take care of all the funny smells which cling to four-year olds.
He's learned self-control where nighttime bladder issues are concerned. Yet when it comes to keeping his mouth closed during sleep, I can't help but like the word feckless.
"There is nothing covered that will not be revealed,
nor hidden that will not be known."
(Luke 12:2 NKJV)
nor hidden that will not be known."
(Luke 12:2 NKJV)
I recently read a compelling line from The Sacred Romance by John Eldredge: "Unsettled, we turn and walk quickly away, like a woman who feels more than she wants to when her eyes meet those of a man not her husband."
Yikes.
I'd only noticed men who give women a slightly too appreciative glance before looking away. Are the secrets hidden in a woman's heart just as easily laid bare?
Men have the reputation for lust. I don't see their lust for sex much different from women's lust for romance, whether in frequency of thought or in the danger for compromise.
I've heard, "Feelings aren't right or wrong—they're just feelings." This lie from the pit of hell is the devil's tool to convince us that lust, wrath, pride, and an entire host of other emotions are justified. We think them our own secrets, which hurt no one. We see our hearts somewhat like our cars. We pass through the midst of hundreds of other cars but think of our space as private—while it's surrounded by glass.
Like the invisible dried spittle on my son's cheek, we unwittingly reveal our hearts and the evil emotions in them. We may dwell on such emotions and feed them, and eventually act upon them. If forced to confront those emotions, we justify them as no more than human.
The Creator indeed allows us anger, which can motivate us to defeat unrighteousness as it did David against Goliath. The Lord allows us enough pride to care about how we're perceived, so we'll work toward displaying the love, joy and peace He puts inside of us. God gives us sexual desire to unite ourselves with our spouses—body and soul—and to reveal more clearly divine union with us which is His desire.
Satan and flesh would use these good emotions for evil.
For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do,
that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who
do it, but sin that dwells in me... O wretched man that I am!
Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—
through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:19-20,24-25 NKJV)
that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who
do it, but sin that dwells in me... O wretched man that I am!
Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—
through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:19-20,24-25 NKJV)
It's said sinful emotions are like birds: you can't prevent them from flying overhead, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.
We must indeed battle sinful emotions every day that we live on this side of heaven. We must remain aware of the dire consequences which follow if we fail to fight.
And we must remember to draw near to our loving Father, whose will is to continually wash us of sin's odor—even as He looks affectionately upon our humanity, which renders us feckless.
Your comments, questions, and respectful disagreement are most appreciated. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments, or e-mail buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Parting Words
The bus left with two of my children and without me—not my original plan.
My plan was that my violinist, Elizabeth, would tour with her philharmonic orchestra in Indianapolis, and I would accompany as a group chaperone. But other parents with more experience as chaperones were selected.
The option remained for me to pay full price and accompany the group. But then the orchestra needed a pianist, and so the cost of a second ticket went to my daughter Michaelle.
Two daughters plus luggage were delivered to the bus. I hugged and kissed them goodbye a couple-three times. One said something about it being time for Mom to start crying.
Many moms shed tears the first time they put their babies on a bus and wave them away—though usually when the kids are age 5. (Life is often different for us homeschoolers.) My little girls are 15 and 17, and are only skipping a few hundred miles across the state line, not traversing the globe to a third world country for a missions trip. No tears came.
I returned to my car to wait until the bus left, like in the old days when you stayed in the airport terminal until the plane took off. I recalled my parting words to stay together and look out for each other. That's when the tears came. The day came when I started getting along without my mom, but I've never stopped relying on my sisters, not even now that they're thousands of miles and two time zones away.
The oldest in a family of eight children, I once felt eager to have some space from them. Now it hurts horribly that I'm the only one not in the Denver area. We've stayed tight enough that some of our children seem more like siblings than cousins. I never fully appreciated the value of family until I moved away and I left some huge portion of my heart in Colorado—including the part that knows how much I still need my mom, and how grateful I am that she's still alive.
So I watched the bus through misty eyes and I prayed. I asked God that in being away from me, my daughters would strengthen their bond to each another. I prayed that they'd miss home enough to appreciate it a little more now, in this time of their lives, and not later like I did.
Here am I and the children whom the LORD has given me!
~ Isaiah 8:18 (NKJV)
My five darlings have never really been mine. From the day I conceived them, they've been a stewardship in my care on behalf of the Lord.
Which is the basis for my other parting words at the bus, and my foremost prayer on their behalf, said day after day.
Lord, please bring them to live up to and remember always their purpose to glorify You and honor Your name, wherever they go, whatever they do.
Your comments, questions, and respectful disagreement are most appreciated. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments, or e-mail buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
How Many?
The oldest among nine children, I planned to have none of my own after more or less raising my siblings, but had five anyway. My surviving brain cells have these random thoughts on children, and still recall a few words from others. (This repeat post is my gift to mothers for their day tomorrow.)
My husband said he wanted two kids, I said three, and God gave both of us our way by sending five.
The day came when I didn't care so much whether I had one child or ten, I just didn't want to miss knowing the ones God had planned for us.
Owning an 11-passenger van wonderfully allows us to come home from church with extra kids to enjoy for a day. You haven't lived until you've danced the car down the road singing the Veggie Tales "Belly Button Song" in three-part harmony.
Once you figure out that most of the bad things kids do are an expression of something they see in their parents, it really motivates you to be a better person.
About the time you think you're completely failing as a parent, your kids will do something exceptionally good that they learned from you so you don't lose heart.
Whatever the hour, I don't mind being awakened by a child who needs to crawl into bed to be comforted after a bad dream or snuggle for no reason other than being awake. It's important that they understand from me that God is always available.
I'm not Amish but I subscribe to their philosophy: Until age six children require more than they return; between six and twelve you break even; after age twelve they should contribute more to the family than what they take.
My husband looks forward to collecting retirement pay (at least until foreign T-bill holders foreclose on the U.S. economy). My retirement plan is our kids and I see it as far more secure.
I don't mind having a "cozy" house and a thin bank account as long as what we do have is being invested in our kids and their future.
Children give a person reason to persevere. When life looks bleak, we'll do for them what we might not otherwise have courage to do for ourselves.
My husband John says kids are smarter than you give them credit for—and it often works against you.
My sister Mary says that once there's three kids in the house, you don't really notice having more visit until you reach about a dozen.
My friend Carrie has thirteen children. When she got tired of people asking "Haven't you figured out what causes that?" she started answering, "Yeah, and we like it."
The Bible counts children among the Lord's greatest blessings. The patriarch Abraham had riches but saw them as pointless without an heir. Hannah had the kind of love from a man coveted by women everywhere, but was unfulfilled without a child.
To be without money is less sad than to be without children somewhere in your life. For those saddened that the Lord has not blessed you with children, I pray that He will open your eyes to the plan of blessing He does have for you, and that He fulfills you most richly in that perspective.
Your comments, questions, and respectful disagreement are most appreciated. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments, or e-mail buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2010, 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Image by Hicks Portraits
My husband said he wanted two kids, I said three, and God gave both of us our way by sending five.
The day came when I didn't care so much whether I had one child or ten, I just didn't want to miss knowing the ones God had planned for us.
Owning an 11-passenger van wonderfully allows us to come home from church with extra kids to enjoy for a day. You haven't lived until you've danced the car down the road singing the Veggie Tales "Belly Button Song" in three-part harmony.
Once you figure out that most of the bad things kids do are an expression of something they see in their parents, it really motivates you to be a better person.
About the time you think you're completely failing as a parent, your kids will do something exceptionally good that they learned from you so you don't lose heart.
Whatever the hour, I don't mind being awakened by a child who needs to crawl into bed to be comforted after a bad dream or snuggle for no reason other than being awake. It's important that they understand from me that God is always available.
I'm not Amish but I subscribe to their philosophy: Until age six children require more than they return; between six and twelve you break even; after age twelve they should contribute more to the family than what they take.
My husband looks forward to collecting retirement pay (at least until foreign T-bill holders foreclose on the U.S. economy). My retirement plan is our kids and I see it as far more secure.
I don't mind having a "cozy" house and a thin bank account as long as what we do have is being invested in our kids and their future.
Children give a person reason to persevere. When life looks bleak, we'll do for them what we might not otherwise have courage to do for ourselves.
My husband John says kids are smarter than you give them credit for—and it often works against you.
My sister Mary says that once there's three kids in the house, you don't really notice having more visit until you reach about a dozen.
My friend Carrie has thirteen children. When she got tired of people asking "Haven't you figured out what causes that?" she started answering, "Yeah, and we like it."
The Bible counts children among the Lord's greatest blessings. The patriarch Abraham had riches but saw them as pointless without an heir. Hannah had the kind of love from a man coveted by women everywhere, but was unfulfilled without a child.
To be without money is less sad than to be without children somewhere in your life. For those saddened that the Lord has not blessed you with children, I pray that He will open your eyes to the plan of blessing He does have for you, and that He fulfills you most richly in that perspective.
Your comments, questions, and respectful disagreement are most appreciated. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments, or e-mail buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2010, 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Image by Hicks Portraits
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
I Love Them So
This post is dedicated to a spirit of diversity in Christ's church, and to the unity made possible by love. It is also the "Rest of the Story" behind yesterday's expression of thanks to God posted at Everyday Testimony.
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
~ 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NKJV)
Though differences among Christians certainly can bring about divisions, how else could we possibly express understanding of a God as huge as ours? I am convinced that without such diversity, we would see much less of God than we do.
The same is true of expressions of love. Seven members of my diverse household each express love in different ways. Unless we value our individuality, we are certain to either miss the more subtle expressions of love we have for one another, or fail to appreciate the bold ones.
The Lord is Master of both.
He's teaching me new ways to be subtle. Yet I can't imagine that I'll ever weary of the frequent "I love you" or PDA (public display of affection) which either embarrasses or grows old with some people. I grew up amid a family fluent in this open love language.
My mother, blind since birth, began playing the piano before she could walk, and can literally play a song by ear if you hum a few bars. Her gift for music includes the uncanny ability to remember nearly every song she's ever heard. The miles and years are often bridged by the music my mother shares with her grandchildren in various ways.
Musical skill skipped over me to my children. My love of music is devoid of the same breadth and comprehension shared by the generations preceding and following me. For example, I did not share my mother's affection for the 60-year-old cowboy tune she passed along to my kids several years ago.
Then on Sunday I did a post about social media, "Following." The same day, my 17-year-old daughter offset every pain in the neck social media has ever been with a simple post to my Facebook wall. It included four words, three hearts, and Youtube link:
I love you Mommy! ♥ ♥ ♥
Here are the words to a song which resounds with love reaching across the generations.
MOM AND DAD'S WALTZ
Words and music by Lefty Frizzell
© 1951 Hill and Range Songs
I'd walk for miles
Cry or smile
For my mama and daddy
I want them
I want them to know
How I feel
My love is real
For my mama and daddy
I want them to know
I love them so.
[CHORUS:]
In my heart joy tears start 'cause I'm happy
And I pray every day for Mom and Pappy—
And each night.
I'd walk for miles cry or smile
For my mama and daddy
I want them to know I love them so.
[violin bridge]
I'd fight in wars
Do all the chores
For my mama and daddy
I want them
To live on til they're called.
I'd work and slave
And never rave
To my mama and daddy
Because I know
I owe them my all.
[CHORUS]
I love them so.
Comments, questions, and respectful disagreement are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments, or e-mail buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
♥ ♥ ♥
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
~ 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NKJV)
Though differences among Christians certainly can bring about divisions, how else could we possibly express understanding of a God as huge as ours? I am convinced that without such diversity, we would see much less of God than we do.
The same is true of expressions of love. Seven members of my diverse household each express love in different ways. Unless we value our individuality, we are certain to either miss the more subtle expressions of love we have for one another, or fail to appreciate the bold ones.
The Lord is Master of both.
He's teaching me new ways to be subtle. Yet I can't imagine that I'll ever weary of the frequent "I love you" or PDA (public display of affection) which either embarrasses or grows old with some people. I grew up amid a family fluent in this open love language.
♥ ♥ ♥
My mother, blind since birth, began playing the piano before she could walk, and can literally play a song by ear if you hum a few bars. Her gift for music includes the uncanny ability to remember nearly every song she's ever heard. The miles and years are often bridged by the music my mother shares with her grandchildren in various ways.
Musical skill skipped over me to my children. My love of music is devoid of the same breadth and comprehension shared by the generations preceding and following me. For example, I did not share my mother's affection for the 60-year-old cowboy tune she passed along to my kids several years ago.
Then on Sunday I did a post about social media, "Following." The same day, my 17-year-old daughter offset every pain in the neck social media has ever been with a simple post to my Facebook wall. It included four words, three hearts, and Youtube link:
I love you Mommy! ♥ ♥ ♥
Here are the words to a song which resounds with love reaching across the generations.
MOM AND DAD'S WALTZ
Words and music by Lefty Frizzell
© 1951 Hill and Range Songs
I'd walk for miles
Cry or smile
For my mama and daddy
I want them
I want them to know
How I feel
My love is real
For my mama and daddy
I want them to know
I love them so.
[CHORUS:]
In my heart joy tears start 'cause I'm happy
And I pray every day for Mom and Pappy—
And each night.
I'd walk for miles cry or smile
For my mama and daddy
I want them to know I love them so.
[violin bridge]
I'd fight in wars
Do all the chores
For my mama and daddy
I want them
To live on til they're called.
I'd work and slave
And never rave
To my mama and daddy
Because I know
I owe them my all.
[CHORUS]
I love them so.
♥ ♥ ♥
Comments, questions, and respectful disagreement are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments, or e-mail buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
How Many?
The theme for today’s blog carnival (hosted by Bridget Chumbley) is "Children." To see what others are saying, visit her site
"One Word at a Time".
"One Word at a Time".
"The life of a child is unconscious in its fullness of life,
and the source of its life is implicit love."
~ Oswald Chambers
I grew up as the oldest among nine children, then planned to have none after raising siblings, but wound up having five of my own anyway. My surviving brain cells have these random thoughts on children, and still recall a few words from others.
My husband said he wanted two kids, I said three, and God gave both of us our way by sending five.
The day came when I didn't care so much whether I had one child or ten, I just didn't want to miss knowing the ones God had planned for us.
Owning an 11-passenger van wonderfully allows us to come home from church with extra kids to enjoy for a day. You haven't lived until you've danced along the road singing the Veggie Tales "Belly Button Song" in three-part harmony.
Once you figure out that most of the bad things kids do are an expression of what they see in their parents, it really motivates you to be a better person.
About the time you think you're completely failing as a parent, your kids will do something exceptionally good that they learned from you so you don't lose heart.
Whatever the hour, I don't mind being awakened by a child who needs to crawl into bed to be comforted after a bad dream or snuggle for no reason other than being awake. It's important that they understand from me that God is always available.
I'm not Amish but I subscribe to their philosophy: Until age six children require more than they return; between six and twelve you break even; after age twelve they should contribute more to the family than what they take.
My husband looks forward to collecting retirement pay, at least until foreign T-bill owners foreclose on the U.S. economy. My retirement plan is our kids and I see it as far more secure.
I don't mind having a "cozy" house and a thin bank account as long as what we do have is being invested in our kids and their future.
Children give a person reason to persevere. When life looks bleak, we'll do for them what we might not otherwise have courage to do for ourselves.
My husband John says kids are smarter than you give them credit for, and it often works against you.
My sister Mary says that once there's three kids in the house, you don't really notice having more visit until you reach about a dozen.
My friend Carrie has thirteen children. When she got tired of people asking "Haven't you figured out what causes that?" she started answering, "Yeah, and we like it."
The Bible counts children among the Lord's greatest blessings. The patriarch Abraham had riches but saw them as pointless without an heir. Hannah had the kind of love from a man coveted by women everywhere but was unfulfilled without a child.
To be without money is less sad than to be without children. For those saddened that the Lord has not blessed you with children, I pray that He will open your eyes to the plan of blessing He does have for you, and that He fulfills you most richly in that perspective.
I appreciate hearing from you. Questions are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments or e-mail me—my address is
buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com.
Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Image by Hicks Portraits.
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