The Gift of Children & The Grace of God

Children are a gift. “Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, offspring, a reward” Psalm 127:3. From the moment they enter our lives, these tiny humans have a way of reshaping everything we thought we knew about ourselves, about love, and even about God. They have a way of humbling us—of stripping away the illusion that we have it all together—and showing us just how much we need the Lord.

It’s in the long nights, the tantrums, the constant interruptions, and the unending questions that our temper, patience, and self-control are tested. Yet, what a beautiful gift this is: daily opportunities to practice the fruits of the Spirit. What a gift to be granted moments that lead us to humbly fall on our knees and proclaim to God, I can’t do this all. I can’t be everything.

Parenting reveals how often we fall short, but in the same breath it reveals something greater: grace. The Lord’s grace meets us in our exhaustion and inadequacy. And somehow, our children echo that grace too—with their arms still reaching for us after we lose our cool, with their laughter that fills the air when we feared we’d crushed their spirit, with their trust that mirrors the kind of faith Jesus calls us to. Through their eyes and their words, we are continuously taught of the Father’s perfect and holy love.

But here’s the beautiful truth: children are not the only avenue through which God does this work in us. Parenthood may be one stage where sanctification shines bright, but it is not the only one. You don’t need to be a parent to learn humility, to grow in patience, or to experience grace. God refines us through many paths—friendship, marriage, work, ministry, even the challenges of daily life. Wherever we are, He gives us opportunities to practice the fruits of the Spirit and to experience His love more deeply.

So, whether through the gift of children or through the other sacred relationships and experiences God weaves into our lives, He invites us into transformation. He invites us to learn His love not only in theory, but in practice.

Children remind us of this daily—but the reminder itself is universal: God is gracious, and He is faithful to use every season of our lives to draw us closer to Him.