One of the greatest gifts from God that anyone on earth can have is Children! The genuine smiles, hugs and willingness to give, go and put forth their best efforts at home and school are seen each day in the lives of those who we call “our kids.” We invest time, money, prayers and work into their lives.
Watching my own two children and nine wonderful grandchildren, I can truthfully say along with my Mother: “There is nothing much to smile about on earth, outside of children.” They add so much joy and smiles to our hearts.
Any place I go during my busy days, you can always find me watching any child in the vicinity. Let a baby cry, giggle, or even ride by in a shopping cart, and they have my full and undivided attention….what lovely eyes, adorable lips and teeth...what cute hair and wiggly hands and feet!  My amazement grows and expands with each year at the marvel and wonder of children, and to see them develop into successful and happy adults is the supreme goal!
I have been privileged to watch my son, daughter and some of my grand kids play sports. Christian is on a soccer team in Colorado. Caleb loves to play football. Danny and Joel like baseball, swimming and football. Holly loves horseback riding and swimming. Candice loved rock climbing and Chelsea liked gymnastics. Gracie and Caroline are actresses and we are there to cheer them on every time we can make it. How fulfilling to cheer their victories and encourage them if they take a fall or fumble a play.
Ron Driggers told me that in his hometown, there was a local football hero named Caesar Carr. His old dad always stood in the end zone calling for his boy to “bring him the ball.”  Time after time the crowd cheered as this exchange was made. Today God is waiting at the goal line for you and me.  He has invested too much for us to fail.  He is watching our completion in the challenges of life every single day. His stroke of genius was to provide a winning plan of salvation available to all. When on the cross Jesus said “It Is finished,” this was the capstone that made it possible for us to be saved today.
When we commit our lives to Him, He is there for us, to see us make the goal or cheer us up if we fail. 
As ministers we are tempted to put the members of our church before our own family in importance. This is a terrible mistake.
Pastors come and go but there is only one Mom and one Dad for your children. They will be with you and observe your life from their birth to your death, in most cases. Do not put anyone else before those of your own household. As Paul wrote to Timothy: "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his/her own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel" I Timothy 5:8. Provision here is not merely the necessities of life, though they are paramount, but providing the Gospel message to your family may save your own child from going into sin, running away from home, or even suicide.
I have seen ministers go to great lengths to impress some church member or acquaintance and totally ignore his own son or daughter. He is remarkably "sweet and kind" when it comes to a total stranger, but irritable and short tempered with his wife and children. Be an example of the believer at home first, then in public!!
Your children will bless you for it later!

God wants you and your children to be a winners, and Jesus paid the price for your victory: John 3:16.

Prophetic Thought for Today
"God's Word, God's Will, God's Way"
Value Your Children !