Joyful Christian Parenting: What the Bible Says About Parents and Children

In the midst of day to day living, it can be hard to remember to enjoy our children. For a mother who must cook three meals each day, tackle the laundry that never seems to end, nurse the baby, homeschool the older kids (or help with homework), correct behavior, vacuum, sweep-don't forget to shower!-fold clothes, wash dishes, and try to maintain a relationship with the Lord through prayer and Bible study, finding time to actually enjoy her children can seem like an impossible task. She may feel that she is fitting the children into the crevices left by all her other tasks. Fathers come home from work tired and often find more work to do once they get there: the yard needs mowed, repairs need made, the car needs an oil change.

Joyful Christian Parenting and The Growing Family

The more children you have, the more this work seems to multiply, especially for mothers. As the children seek attention, unfortunately, it can sometimes feel like a bothersome hindrance. "I just need to get this done!" you may think. Some days tempers can begin to flare. Before things get to that, let's stop and look at what the Bible says about children and parenting.

• Proverbs 17:6 - Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

Our children are our glory! The word glory in this verse means a beautiful ornament, honor, and majesty. When we look at the faces of our children, let us try to always see the honor that God intends them to be.

• Psalm 127:3 - Lo, children are a heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Our heritage of the Lord, our reward! Do you see a reward when you look at your child? Do you feel rewarded each time you hear your child's voice? That's what God says He has given us in our children.

• Psalm 127:4, 5a - As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are the children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them.

Surely, arrows in the hand of a mighty man make him feel strong and safe. Of course, our children are not for warfare, but God is comparing them to arrows of safety, protection, and strength. Our children fill our lives with stability, which brings a feeling of safety and wellbeing. We can see the future of our own lives in our children.

Words of Encouragement

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the demands of your children - as I think we all do from time to time - take a few minutes to write these verses and hang them up around your house. Perhaps hang one in the kitchen, one in the living room, and one in your bedroom. Next time you find yourself feeling more 'bother' than 'joy' around your children, read one of your posted verses and remind yourself of the joy that God has designed in your little ones!

For some Christian parenting tips that will bring some fun and laughter into your home, please see "Fun Activities For the Whole Family."