“Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth.
Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children!”
Psalm 127:3-5 (The Message)
Every day I thank God for the blessing of being a wife to my husband and the mother to my children. These specific children. I would be willing to welcome more children into our household if that was God’s will – either through adoption, foster care or biologically, but I truly thank God for the children He has blessed me with each and every day.
I like my children. They really are fun to be around. While I don’t consider myself their friend at this stage in our lives, I do consider them great people to build a solid relationship with. I anticipate a time when they are out of the house and we can continue our relationship as friends… because I genuinely like my kids.
I like that they are discovering a personal relationship with their Heavenly Father –in their own way and all equally as special. I like that they each have a special gift for serving God in their own way – with their own talents and gifts that God has given to them. I like that they enjoy serving God together as a family as much as their dad and I enjoy serving with them.
I like that they choose kindness – whether it’s to come alongside a friend who needs extra encouragement, to stop and help a stranger pick up something they dropped at the store, a hurt animal, or praying when they hear an ambulance in the distance.
I like that they have inherited their father’s sense of humor. I like that they have learned not to take life as seriously as their mom. I like that music fills our house – whether it’s through the radio and singing at the top of our lungs, or the beat of the drum set or the beautiful notes on the baritone saxophone or contra alto or even the rhythm of beat boxing. I like that our house is filled with music.
And noise. I like that our house is one where our kids feel free to express themselves. Sometimes verbally, sometimes artistically, sometimes just plain loudly. I like that all three of our children are so unique in their expressions and that I am blessed to get to watch them become the adults they were meant to be.
I like that our kids aren’t perfect… and don’t expect me to be either. I like that we can say “I’m sorry” and mean it. I like that we don’t hold grudges (most of the time). I like that we sometimes screw up completely and need a “do over” because “I’m sorry” won’t cut it this time. I like that we’re willing to keep trying even when it seems hopeless and hormones and attitudes and mistakes and exhaustion have piled up. I like that when I pay attention, I learn something new from them each and every day.
I really like my kids.
© Cheri Swalwell 2017