May You See Your Children’s Children

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways!  You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.  Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.  The Lord bless you from Zion!  May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!  May you see your children's children!  Peace be upon Israel!   Psalm 128

One of the great hallmarks of Lutheran theology is the teaching of vocation.  Each and every Christian has a calling, as a child of God, but also within their home, work, and as citizen.  We are taught to view the roles of husband or wife, father or mother, as callings from God.  These callings are carried out by being faithful stewards of the gifts entrusted to us by God.  While children are entrusted to the care of parents, they are ultimately God’s children.  Parents teach them to call on God as heavenly Father and that one day they will dwell with Him in heaven.

One of the greatest joys that parents can receive in seeing their children’s children.  This is a blessing from God.  Those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways understand that every good and perfect gift comes from God.  An even greater joy than just seeing their children’s children for a grandparent is seeing their child bringing their grandchild to the waters of Holy Baptism.  For there at the font, the child created in God’s own image, is called by God to saving faith in Christ.

For as great a joy as it is for parents to see their children’s children, their ultimate prayer is to see their children’s children in heaven.  Parents bring children up in the fear and admonition of the Lord so that they will also bring their children up as God’s children.  As the Psalmist writes, seeing your children’s children is a blessing from God.  By God’s grace and blessing, may you also see your children’s children with Christ Jesus in heaven!

Prayer - Almighty God, heavenly Father, You have blessed us with the joy and care of children.  Give us calm strength and patient wisdom that, as they grow in years, we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen. 

Fraternally in Christ,
President Lee Hagan