Fathers do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
(Ephesians 6:4, ESV)
What blessings are these
That God has placed within our arms
As we bring them to Christ
Within this water here outpoured?
His blessings theirs
And we to them a blessing, too
As we teach their lips
To praise and call Him Lord.
What blessings are these
That God has placed within our arms
As they live and grow
Relying on our sinful hands?
They look and see
All that our actions point them toward—
Whether in His reign
Or out in foreign lands.
What blessings are these
That God has placed within our arms—
Us their voices calling
Words given both to Church and God?
And how can we
Give “Mother,” “Father” meaning true
If not in His Word
Their feet they daily trod?
What blessings are these
That God has placed within our arms
As the world’s voice rings loud
With all their thoughts and grand allure?
We there to keep
Deception from these young ones’ lives,
And place them firmly
On paths God’s Word makes sure.
What blessings are these
That God has placed within our arms
That we give true riches
In that birth He gives us here?
And daily give
The Bread of Life to them in truth;
And never silent
On all His Word makes clear.
Rev. Justin Whitmore serves as pastor of Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and White Creek Lutheran School in rural Columbus, Indiana, where he lives with his wife and nine children. Before being called to serve in Columbus, Pastor Whitmore served the dual parish of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clarinda, Iowa, and Trinity Lutheran Church in Shenandoah, Iowa.
