Children are a Blessing

Psa 128:3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
Psa 128:4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.

My daughter Audrey is twelve and a half months old. She is a goofball and loves to cuddle. The Lord's compassion and benefits are truly magnified through the children His gives and I wanted to just make mention of a few of those blessings that I see conveyed in my being a father of her:

1) Cuddle time at night-

Audrey sleeps in between Christine and I at night and it is such a sweet time of affection. She is very cuddley and loves her blanket. Often times I am overjoyed and overwhelmed at the beauties of the family and how my love for Christ is increased when I experience those times giving thanks to Him, and being mindful of His sweet affection towards us as His children:

Psa 127:2 "... for so he giveth his beloved sleep."

Psa 111:4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.

2) When she farewells me off to work-

Lately, as I leave for work, Audrey (though she cannot speak actual words yet) will send me off to work. Christine holds her and I give her a kiss and a hug, and then she pushes me away from her and says, "doue". It kind of sounds like 'dough', and it is the cutest thing ever! I am always sure to say 'ok. Bye!!'. It reminds me of the fact that in this life, there are seasons where we must be away from those we love. Those seasons tend to often remind me of the fact that though now for a season we are away from our Lord, one day we will be together, face to face.

2Co 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Joh 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

3) When she dances to music-

Audrey loves music. She dances to everything, even when you sing to her. When we drive she will cry until we put on Shai Linne or something edifying (though I'm sure she only likes it for the beats). She is just such a happy child, and that causes me to rejoice in the Lord, and reminds me that true joy is found only in our God, as He is the author of it and is the manifestation of it towards us:

Jer 31:13 Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

Isa 65:18 But be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.

4) When she seeks comfort from me and Christine-

This is such a special truth about being a parent. The heart of your child safely trust in you. You are to provide a representation of the comfort God, in Christ, provides for His people. Having tile in our house means that now that she is walking, a lot of slips and tumbles occur. When your child is hurt it really indeed affects your heart. I know that God desires to show Himself to us in our sufferings and in our needs:

Psa 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

Psa 94:19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

5) When I give her a new toy or book-

Audrey loves toys, especially ones that play music. My famliy gave her some toys that play music for her 1st birthday. She loves when you sit down and play with her. Though she enjoys all of her toys, she really loves more than other things, her books. Christine will sit and read to her for long periods of time and she justs sits there, fascinated. I do pray the Lord water this desire in her, that she might take delight in His Word as she continues to grow. Giving her these things is a reflection to my soul of the gifts that our heavenly father gives to His children:

Mat 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Psa 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good

thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

2Co 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

6) When she is satisfied with food:

It is amazing how quickly and fully Audrey is satisfied when she is fed by Christine. She genuiely is content with her food (milk; though she is now eating with us at the table also), and actually delights in it. So also, should we who are Christ's be content with the food He is to us:

Isa 66:11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.
Isa 66:12 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.
Isa 66:13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
Isa 66:14 And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Flames of Fire are as Nothing to the Sun of Righteousness; Much less Worms; or Better Stated 'Stare at the Sun':

Mal 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

Heb 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
Heb 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
Heb 1:7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

Job 25:4 How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?
Job 25:5 Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight.
Job 25:6 How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?

When we behold the Son of God in His rightful place we will see how low and unworthy mankind truly is. For behold, His angels are as a flame of fire, and yet unto which of them did the Father call 'His Son'? We see the beauty of their splendor, the power of their presence, the dreadfulness of their position, and yet they are called upon to worship the Son of God! O the burning of the Sun of Righteousness! He is an eternity of brightness compared to their flicker. But see, dear ones, the lowness of man- for he has no brightness in him. He is but a maggot of the dirt, one who feeds on the cruel, filth of his carnal pleasures.

If man is to be redeemed, behold, what mercy in God must there truly be! The Scripture makes it is clear that Christ has commanded us into existence spiritually. He has shed His light upon our hearts and given us an understanding:

2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

These dirt dwellers may recieve cleansing through Christ. And if ever it was appropriate to look directly at the Sun, now may we who are His, look steadfastly into the face of the Sun of Righteousness, into the face of Jesus Christ.