Ladies Corner
Celebrating Children
When talking about planning a baby shower recently, my friend Machella said, “I think every baby needs to be celebrated.” People do not always have baby showers for ladies who already have children, because they have most of the things they need. Her point was that the party was not just about giving the parents the necessary supplies for taking care of a baby, but it was to be a celebration of the baby! Of course it is not necessary that a party be thrown for every baby, but the attitude behind her statement is significant—every baby, every child, needs to be celebrated.
Sadly, there are many children who are not celebrated. There are babies who are not even allowed to take a breath in this world because, instead of celebrating them, their parents destroy them. There are children who are neglected, abandoned, abused. Even among those who are physically cared for properly, there are many who are not celebrated. Parents may rejoice over the birth of a baby, but as the child grows they are full of complaints about their child.
What does God say about the way parents should view their children?
Psalm 127:3 says, “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD…” Children are given by God. They should be valued and appreciated as gifts from Him. Shamefully, people mistreat and fail to appreciate these gifts from God every day, just as they mistreated God’s own Son, the greatest gift of all. In Psalm 128, a description is given of the man who fears God and is blessed by Him. Part of that blessing is having “…Your children like olive plants All around your table” (verse 3).
Jesus showed an appreciation for children while He was here on earth. He did not have the attitude, as so many people do, that He did not want to be bothered with children. Instead He said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). He also appreciated the praises sung to Him by children:
But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?” (Matthew 21:15-16)
Children, who are innocent, have a relationship with God. He creates a soul at conception, and until that child is accountable for sin that relationship is intact. Parents should encourage children to sing and pray to God, remembering the tenderness with which Jesus received little children. He receives children now the same way. The psalmist speaks of children praising God along with the whole earth:
Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Princes and all judges of the earth;
Both young men and maidens;
Old men and children.
Let them praise the name of the LORD… (Psalm 148:11-13)
God listens to children, so shouldn’t we? Celebrating children means listening to them, learning about their personalities and what is important to them. They should not be viewed as bothersome! The old saying “children should be seen and not heard” is really not a good way for parents to develop a good relationship with their children.
There seem to be some parents who think that celebrating their children means giving them everything they want to have and letting them do whatever they want to do. However, God tells us that part of enjoying children is to teach and discipline them. In fact, that is the way He treats us, according to Proverbs 3:12:
My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,
Nor detest His correction;
For whom the LORD loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
God loves us, so He wants us to do what is right. Parents love their children, so they want them to do what is right. Correction is necessary to teach them how to live righteously. Notice the last phrase “in whom he delights.” It should be the norm for parents to delight in their children! Far too often parents complain about their children, scream at them, berate them, and express that they are miserable with their children around. God does not intend for this to be so! In His plan, parents enjoy their children, and teach them how to be enjoyable to be around. Part of the reason many parents do not enjoy being with their children is because they have not disciplined them to behave appropriately. Proverbs 13:24 tells us that one who loves his son “disciplines him promptly.” We are doing our children a disservice when we let them run the family and fail to teach them the ways of the Lord.
Parents do need to be thoughtful about the way they discipline children. Think about what is said in these two passages:
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)
Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. (Colossians 3:21)
Parents should engage in training, guiding, teaching, correcting, and admonishing, but not berating, demeaning, and criticizing to the point of discouraging and angering children. Paul reminded the Thessalonians of “…how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:11). Embedded in this statement is a description of how parents should treat their children—exhort them, comfort them, and charge them to walk worthy of God. What a great summary!
It is a common custom to have parties or some special activity to celebrate children’s birthdays each year. These celebrations indicate that these children are important, valuable souls made in God’s image, and that families and friends are thankful for them. However, celebrating children should not be limited to one day per year. It is an attitude that is shown in the way parents treat and talk about their children. Parents should remember daily that their children are gifts from God, that Jesus welcomed children, and that God hears their praises. They should remember that true love includes teaching, correcting, and encouraging, just as our Heavenly Father teaches, corrects, and encourages us.
Every baby needs to be celebrated.
