by Jean Wilund
Why did we want children?
My friend Bev and I often asked each other this question. Usually with a laugh, and especially when our young daughters played together.
My Carolyn and her Bethany possessed tremendous strength of character, which is to say they were quite the characters, loaded with dogged-determination.
Once when they were five years old, Carolyn and Bethany had an idea.
A fun idea.
A terrible idea.
“Let’s play Hide-n-Seek with our moms but not tell them.”
I’m not sure that’s how the conversation went, but that was the result.
As Bev and I enjoyed a glass of tea in her living room, Carolyn and Bethany snuck into the back of Bev’s SUV.
Cloaked by the car’s tinted windows, the girls hunkered down and waited. Would we notice they were gone?
We noticed all right. When those two got quiet, we noticed.
Snickering in the Trunk. Freaking Out in the Yard.
The tricksters probably snickered as Bev and I called out for them in the yard.
“Carolyn! Bethany!”
We searched the house.
“Carolyn! Bethany!”
We returned to the yard.
“Carolyn!! Bethany!!”
To the house again.
“CAROLYN! BETHANY!”
We scrambled like frantic hens in a dog park looking for their chicks.
My oldest — and innocent — daughter, Britt, joined the hunt.
We rushed up the street.
Around the neighbors’ yards.
Through nooks and crannies in Bev’s house.
Then we stopped and stared out past Bev’s yard to the acres of dark woods.
Desperation spiraled into hysteria.
“CAROLYN!!! BETHANY!!!”
Snicker. Snicker.
There was only one thing left to do. Bev rushed past her SUV toward the house and hollered, “I’m calling the police!”
And that’s when Britt spotted the two little comedians hunkered down in the trunk and informed them their fun was over.
They popped out of the trunk sporting “aren’t we funny” grins.
Dumbstruck, Bev and I stared, first at them and then at each other.
Why did we want children?
But of course, we know why. Children are a gift from the Lord.
Even ours.
Especially ours.
Despite the number of times their fun paralyzes us with fear, we love them more than life itself.
Even with all their strength of character, we wouldn’t want to be without them.
But Why Did God Want Children?
God knew we’d do more than just play Hide-n-Seek from Him. He knew we’d be His enemies, His haters (Romans 5:10, Romans 1:20-32).
He knew we’d fill the world with evil and murder His Son.
On top of all that, He didn’t need us. He’s always been – and would always have been – content and complete in the fullness of who he is without us.
Nevertheless, even in His state of perfect contentment, God chose to create us. To create all mankind.
What was He thinking?
Perhaps He was thinking, I love you. I want you to know and enjoy Me forever. And I will glorify Myself through you.
You Were Planned
Even more surprising than the fact that God would want us is that we’ve been a part of His eternal purpose and plan from before the beginning.
God didn’t create the earth and then think us up. He created the earth so He’d have a place to put us – a magnificent place, I might add.
God knew everything we’d ever say or do.
He knew we’d sin, disobey, fall away, and utterly reject Him. But that didn’t stop Him. He still chose to create each and every one of us.
You were planned.
God has never made a mistake. Creating you wasn’t His first.
Despite your greatest sins, God loves you with an unfailing love. Even with all the fun you put Him through.
[bctt tweet=”God has never made a mistake. Creating you wasn’t His first. @jeanwilund #GodLovesYou #ChildrenAreAGift” username=”inspireafire”]
God is Calling Out — But He’s Not Freaking Out
God’s love may be unconditional (we can’t earn it), but receiving it isn’t.
We must humble ourselves before Him, confess we’re sinners, turn from our dogged determination and selfish strength of character, and follow Him.
Unless we do, we’ll never know or enjoy His love. And we’ll condemn ourselves to eternity without Him.
Once we die, we’ll all believe, but there won’t be the chance to pop out and say, “I’ve changed my mind. I want to receive your gift of salvation.”
While you’re still snickering in the trunk, God is calmly calling out to you. He isn’t freaking out. God never freaks out, but He is calling you – because He loves you.
How will you answer?
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
~ Romans 5:8
Oh. My. Goodness. Been there, done that. Why, indeed? Love it!
Haha!!! Yes, Why indeed. I figured there’d be a few parents out there who could relate. But kids really are a gift, and I couldn’t imagine my life without each one of my treasures! Glad God chose to have children, too!
Wow, Excellent Jean. I always appreciate the Love and Truth God shares through you. You stay before Him on your knees and in your heart and spirit, and it’s obvious. Thank you. — “Whether therefore ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do; do all to the Glory Of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
Melissa S. Bothwell
Thanks! You’re always an encouragement. God’s grace is amazing. Anything you see in me or my writing that’s worth looking at is only because of Him. Love you!
Oh the memories your story evoked.
Praise God for our children because they gave us those precious grandchildren. Part of God’s plan.
God Bless, Donna Pearman
Haha! Yes, children are awesome because they give us grandchildren. 🙂 They’re fabulous for many other reasons, too, of course, but the grandchildren definitely make it all worth it. Ha!
Silence. There should be sounds of boys playing in the house. But no, only silence. Tony and I peeked into their bedroom. James lay in bed taking an afternoon nap. Robbie wasn’t there. Frantic thoughts. We lived on the fourth floor! Robbie could open the door but not the windows. We called for him. Looked in the stairwell of the walkup. I came back in, no Robbie. I heard the tiny snicker but from where? Where did my tiny toddler choose to hide? I glanced around. There weren’t many places to hide. Up, look up. There sat my little boy, on top of a five shelf bookcase. Almost seven feet high he sat, grinning at the joke he played on his parents.
Ah Jean, thanks for the trip down memory lane. And yes, he now has a teenaged daughter with a bold personality.
Why indeed.
Cindy,
That’s hilarious! No doubt it wasn’t funny at the time, but oh my! Bahaha! I’m so glad you shared that story! Why indeed.