Psalm 127:3 NKJV Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Kids grow up and have their own families. They plan different fun things they will do with their spouse and children. Their outings and vacations are all to please their spouse and kids. They want to show them fun things and experience good times together.
Parents of those same grown kids, however, find their joy in visiting their children. They do not have to be entertained by water parks, beaches, or travel. For a parent, their most treasured moments are those of their kids weddings, the birth of their kids children, long one on one conversations and just spending time together with them. To us, as parents, the joy is in the vocation not the location. The most monumental, colossal, alluring or intriguing place couldn’t surpass the joy we get spending time talking with our children, listening to them knowing we hold value in their eyes, and holding a grandchild and seeing the love in their eyes.
So, when it our time to plan a vacation, what do we plan to see? Is it the Grand Canyon, Myrtle Beach, the Redwood forest, Niagara Falls or a remote exotic location? No, for us, the wow is in the time spent with family. Just listening to our children’s voices and getting to see what wonderful people they have become is joy enough. Being with them is the wow of the ocean, the grandeur of the mountains, the most spectacular sunset,, the beauty of natures waterfalls and it is everything to me. I love you kids.
Amber, Kimberly and Joshua you are all three so amazing to me. I am blessed beyond words by our heavenly Father. He has gifted me with three wonderful children that mean the world to me. You kids bring joy to my heart with every moment that we spend together in person or on the phone. I appreciate and highly value our relationship. I pray the Lord richly blesses you three with a close walk with Him. May you know His will for your life and may He bring it to fruition. The best place to ever be is close to Jesus. I hope you all know how much I love each of you. God bless you. Love your mom.
Time has passed so quickly. I have loved every breath.
Dearest Lord and most holy heavenly Father,
I thank You for the blessing You have given me in the lives of all three of my children. They are each so unique and special to me. From the moment You placed them in my womb, I have loved them. I cherish the times that I was blessed with raising them. They are wonderful children and they have filled my heart with joy.
I ask You, Lord, to keep them safe. Help them to know the depth of love that You have for them. I pray that You would draw them so close to Your side. There is no greater place to be. Show Yourself to them in mighty and miraculous ways. Let them be the ones who change the world for the better.
They are Your children, Lord, long before they were mine, let them know how much I love them. I know I have made mistakes, but help them to see that I was only human and I tried my best. I wouldn’t trade them for the world. They mean so much to me. My greatest joy would be to see them turning more and more to You. Thank You for everything, Lord, all of the wonderful times spent in their presence. They are truly a gift from You. May Your favor be upon them, in Jesus’ name. Amen. 🙏
The Fathers Feet 
What a gorgeous post, Donna! The photographs with you, your daughters and son are so beautiful. Your son is tall like ours – they have to bend down to kiss the top of our heads! lol
It’s hard work bringing up children, especially when they’re small (and the teenage years can be quite tricky too!), but they really are a blessing and we should tell them so. Thank you for the reminder! 😀 xx
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Thanks Lesley! I appreciate your sweet comment. Our children are definitely a gift from the Lord. He is so good to us. God bless you. Have a good day. 🙂
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You too! 🙌
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So beautiful! My mom said it wasn’t where we were, it was who we were with, that mattered. Great post!
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Yes I agree with your mom. Thanks for the kind words. Take care of yourself. Hugs.
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Ah yes, {{{Donna}}}, “The best place to ever be is close to Jesus.” but a close second is to be close to your kids… especially when they are as adorable as yours! ❤ Thanks for sharing your family with us. ❤ ❤ ❤
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You are welcome and thank you Jan. They really are such beautiful kids inside and out. I truly feel blessed. I was so emotional with this. I cried while writing it and while listening to the songs I had picked out for them. ♡♡♡♡ Thanks so much for your kind words. God bless.
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I relate to your tears and gratitude, {{{Donna}}} – I feel the same way about my “kids.”
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