I Want My Children to Have It All

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”

 

I want my children to have it all. That’s right, I want them to be lacking in nothing! Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not talking about them getting all the material possessions and privileges they think they deserve. No, that would just result in another spoiled and entitled person. We have enough of those in our society. Let me explain exactly what I mean when I say I want my children to lack nothing.

     ·         I want my children to lack nothing in basic care. I want them to have the security of a roof over the head, food to eat, and clothes to wear. Even more, I want them to have no lack of joy under our roof or around our dinner table. I have met people who grew up relatively poor but never knew it. Why? Because their parents always made sure basic needs were met without complaint. They sacrificed material luxuries in order to provide essential material needs while leaving time and energy for relational luxuries. I want my children to have all the wonderful memories associated with contentment at home that we can muster.

     ·         I want my children to lack nothing when it comes to my time. I want them to know that I value them enough to give them the generous gift of my time. I want them to lack no assurance that they have my ear when they need it. That I will take the time to listen when they talk, the time to celebrate when they succeed, the time to support when they struggle, and the time to comfort when they mourn. I want my children to lack nothing when it comes to my time.

     ·         I want my children to lack nothing in terms of the emotional comfort I can give them. I want them to rest assured that I always have a hug for them or an encouraging word to offer. I want them to know that they can always come to me and find a shoulder to cry on, a congratulatory slap on the back, or a comforting hug to hold them. I want my children to have absolute assurance that they lack nothing in regard to the emotional comfort available in our home.

     ·         I want my children to lack nothing in joy. I want them to remember a home filled with laughter and joy. I want them to look back on their days in our house and recall music, joking, and fun activities. I want my children to have all the wonderful memories of a home filled with laughter and joy that I can make possible. 

     ·         I want my children to lack nothing in the knowledge that they are loved and accepted. Even more, I want my children to know that I delight in them. I want them to see my eyes sparkle with excitement when they walk in the room. I want them to lack nothing in the realization that they are loved and accepted just as they are; to know that I delight in them beyond measure.

     ·         I want my children to lack nothing in their sense of security. I want them to see a marriage that is strong, stable, and committed for the long term. I want them to know they live under my watchful eye. I want them to have the assurance that even in my momentary anger and discipline, their safety and well-being remain uppermost in mind. They are as secure as possible under the watchful, loving eye of their parents. I want them to lack nothing in that sense of security.

 

I will falter in my attempts to give it all to my children. I will make mistakes. I will grow tired and miss the mark. It is in those moments that I want my children to recall that they lack nothing in regards to my love for them. I love them deeply and completely. And, that love will cover a multitude of mistakes.