When Can I Rest?

17th
October 2008

3 Comments
When this post was written: First child (D) was 5 yrs, 4 mo. Second child (B) was 3 yrs, 9 mo.

Third child (L) was 1 yrs, 11 mo.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

I’m ready for the reaping part of this verse…. What? You think that I need to define reaping? Well, I can do that.

I so look forward to the day when all my children can buckle up by themselves.
I can barely imagine the excitement of being able to leave all the children at home while I run an errand.
Even more exciting is to spend a family vacation without worrying about my children drowning or falling headfirst into the rocks, and reading a new book instead of entertaining them.
And I really am looking forward to seeing the fruits of the constant repetition about obedience and sharing.

That is what I’m working for, right? For when my children are spiritually mature, making right choices and leading a new family in the ways of the Lord? When I no longer have to repeat myself? When I no longer agonize over their decisions? That’s coming soon, right? That’s my reward?

Uh. A friend recently reminded me that, while there is truly no greater joy than seeing our children walk in God’s truth, that is not our reward. Our decisions to put God first, to obey God’s commands, to teach our children His ways result in heavenly treasure, not earthly ease.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Every once in awhile, God’s Word stuns me into realizing I’ve had some worldly thinking, and living for the day when my children become “easy” is an example. Isn’t that what the world wants? What if my children die before they reach that point of maturity? Have I wasted the time spent with them? Of course not, because I’m not working so that my children will grow up and “do me proud.” I’m not even working so that my children love God (although I truly desire this end). I must faithfully obey God’s Word because it is right, regardless of the end result.

3 Responses to "When Can I Rest?"

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for reminding me of this. I often think the same thing. If my children were to die before they become “successful adults” would my work have been in vain? Then Jesus reminds me of all the heavenly reward. He truly sees our service to our children. I’m learning to appreciate this time when Sloane is just a baby and so dependent on me. I really needed this post today. God bless you today as you love your children.

1 Monica said this (October 17, 2008 at 10:28 am)
Thanks, Monica. We are all sinners needing the Lord’s grace, aren’t we? It’s amazing to me that God would use our little children to teach us about Himself. Focusing on doing right just because it pleases God takes care of so many areas– being nice to people who may not be nice back, serving in the church when nobody notices or appreciates, working hard only to see no results. Guess I needed to think on this some more, so thanks for continuing the conversation.

2 Michelle said this (October 20, 2008 at 3:55 pm)
This is a little late, but I am cracking up because when you wrote this post, we were just returning from a weeklong “vacation”…camping in Arkansas. We had planned to camp for 4 nights, but got rained out on the 3rd night at 3 in the morning. Well, not rained…stormed! It had already rained 3 or 4 times in the first 2 days we were there! LOL

My kids are older and are buckling themselves in and their siblings, which is fabulous, but until they’re much, MUCH older, there’s really no way any vacation that involves us leaving our house will ever be restful for me. rofl

I joke outwardly that I look forward to retirement – sleeping! reading!! – but really I’ve been quoting and pondering Gal. 6:9 just as you listed above, and realizing the need to pray for strength and a right perspective…repeatedly, each day. Great post!!

3 Gina said this (November 8, 2008 at 10:12 am)