a time to consult a doctor;
A time to plan a diet and exercise,
a time to gather a layette.
There is a time to wonder at the ways of God,
knowing that He guides our every step.
A time to pray that God will teach us how to train the children He gives.
A time to prepare ourselves that we might nurture this new soul.
But soon there comes the time for birth, for Babies won’t wait.
There is a time for rocking and a time for walking the floor.
A time for patience and self-sacrifice,
a time to show our children that this new world
is a world of love and goodness and dependability.
But a person, an individual–a soul made in God’s image.
There is a time to consider our stewardship.
We cannot possess another human being. Our children are not ours.
We have chosen to care for them, to love them, to enjoy them, to nurture them,
and to answer to God.
We resolve to do our best for them … for babies don’t wait.
A time to show them God in earth and sky and flower,
to teach them to wonder and reverence.
There is a time to leave the dishes,
to swing in the park, to run a race, to draw a picture, to catch a butterfly,
to give them happy comradeship.
There is a time to point the way,
to teach their infant lips to pray, to teach their hearts to love God’s Word,
to kiss away the tears and laugh at broken dishes.
A time to share with them our best in attitudes–a love of life, a love of God, a love of family.
There is a time to answer questions, all their questions,
because there may be a time when they will not want our answers.
There is a time to teach them the beauty of duty, the habit of Bible Study,
the Joy of worship at home, the peace of prayer, for children won’t wait.
To be firm but friendly, to discipline with love, for soon, so soon,
there will be a time to let them go to try their wings, for children won’t wait.
Just eighteen precious years to inspire and train them.
We will not exchange this birthright for a mess of pottage called social position,
or business success, or professional reputation.
The house will wait. The dishes will wait.
The new room can wait. But children don’t wait.
No toys on the stairs, no childhood quarrels, no fingerprints on the wallpaper.
Then may we look back with joy and not regret.
There will be a time to concentrate on service outside our home;
On visiting the sick, the bereaved, the discouraged, the untaught,
to give ourselves to the “least of these.”
There will be a time to look back and know that these years of love were not wasted.
We pray there will be a time to see our children upright and honest souls,
loving God and serving all.
no other task so urgent.
but by Thy Spirit accept it gladly, joyously,
and by Thy grace realize that the time is short and our time is now …
by Gigi
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