Margaret, my walking 'buddy' for the past more than twenty years, lost her husband, Harlan, nearly a year ago. Recently their tombstone was placed on the family plot in our local cemetery. It is beautiful! Among other things, engraved on it are these words:  "Children are a blessing from the Lord (Psalm 127:3)".

It is more than a epitaph. It is their lives:  six children, eighteen grandchildren (the most recent one less than a month old), Margaret currently serving as our school's middle school counselor -- add on another couple hundred kids!

But the simple Bible verse really had me take a second notice, when the same sentence was repeated by Dr. David Jeremiah in a daily inspirational thought which he sent out several days ago:

Where You'll Find a Future President

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward."

~ Psalm 127:3

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"Someone said, 'A baby is a small member of the home that makes love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, the bankroll smaller, the home happier, the clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.' Children are a blessing, not a burden. There is joy in children, but children need our love and attention now more than ever.

"If there's a child in your life -- a son or daughter, a grandchild, a niece or nephew, a pupil or student -- let them see Christ in you. They need to see you reading your Bible, praying, memorizing and quoting Scripture, and offering thanks before your meals. They need patience modeled for them, and joy. If possible, they need genuine facetime with you, not just the smartphone version. They need to learn to brush their teeth, read their Bibles, say their prayers, make their beds, and pick up their things. They need to know that church attendance is important, and that tithing is an aspect of worship and stewardship.

"God places children in our lives so we can lead them to Him. Being a parent isn't just a job -- it's a joy!

"If you want to see a future preacher, president, leader, missionary, or hero, just sign up to work in the church nursery. When God gives us children, He gives us the privilege of nurturing the future."

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