Reflections on Marriage—P is for Posterity
Posterity
is a promising
gift from God
coming either planned
or as a
special surprise, and
His precious children
will deepen your
marriage covenants and
bless your lives
throughout all eternity.
Excerpt from ABC’s for a Happy Marriage:
A Collection of Original Poetry and Biblical Scriptures
by Kristine Litster Fales
Image Source: Pinterest
When I was a little girl, I loved babies and little children. I loved pretending that I was the “mama” to my two younger brothers and baby sister—and of course all my baby dolls! When we would go to church parties or events, the mothers who had babies or young children all loved me because I would take care of their little ones so they could socialize. I couldn’t wait until I was a real mother myself!
When my husband and I were blessed with our first baby, it seemed so miraculous that we could bring this sweet infant into the world. We truly felt like co-creators with God. As William Wordsworth (1770-1850), wrote, “Heaven lies about us in our infancy!” (You can read more of his poem at the end of this post.)
Of course, the hard work of being parents is a 24/7 commitment, but the joy that each of our eleven children has brought us is well worth the effort. We learned that we had to always keep an eternal perspective on the hard/sad times. We also learned to sit back and simply enjoy the delightful/happy times. As David always tells people who are overwhelmed with the number of children we chose to have, “Even having one child is a wonderful gift.”
Please read and ponder the following five quotations and poem. I believe they will strengthen your resolve to be the best mother or father you can be. Remember, your children are also God’s children. He will help you every step of the way!
Children are also a special treasure to everyone who takes time to nurture them—aunts, uncles, older siblings, family friends, babysitters, teachers, and grandparents. I call this special treasure “pixie dust.” You can only get your “pixie dust” from lovingly interacting with children.
As you love the children, the children will love you in return. It is heaven.
“But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me:for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
Mother Teresa
The child is the beauty of God present in the world, that greatest gift to a family. … Whatever you do for your family, your children, your husband, your wife, you do for God. All we do, our prayers, our work, our suffering, is for Jesus. … If you want to bring happiness to the whole world, go home and love your family.
David O. McKay
The Father of all mankind expects parents, as his representatives, to assist him in shaping and guiding human lives and immortal souls. That is the highest assignment which the Lord can bestow upon man. A newborn babe is the most helpless creature in the world. The protecting care of parenthood is essential to its survival, as well as its growth. … Our most precious possessions, our treasures of eternity, are our children. These merit and should receive our greatest and our most constant care and guidance.
Barbara Bush
But whatever the era, whatever the times, one thing will never change: Fathers and mothers, if you have children, they must come first. You must read to your children and you must hug your children and you must love your children. Your success as a family, our success as a society, depends not on what happens in the White House but on what happens inside your house.
James E. Faust
Happiness in marriage and parenthood can exceed a thousand times any other happiness. The soul of the marriage is greatly enriched and the spiritual growing process is greatly strengthened when a couple become parents. Parenthood should bring the greatest of all happiness. Men grow because as fathers they must take care of their families. Women blossom because as mothers they must forget themselves. We understand best the full meaning of love when we become parents.
Sheri Dew
There is no greater name for a leader than mother or father. There is no leadership more important than parenthood. … Satan has declared war on motherhood. He knows that those who rock the cradle can rock his earthly empire. And he knows that without righteous mothers loving and leading the next generation, the Kingdom of God will fail. … You were born to lead as mothers and fathers because nowhere is righteous leadership more crucial than in the family
William Wordsworth
Excerpt from the poem: ODE ON INTIMATIONS OF IMMORTALITY FROM RECOLLECTIONS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting;
The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting
And cometh from afar;
Not in entire forgetfulness,
And not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home:
Heaven lies about us in our infancy!