In Bible times, a child was considered to have reached the age of maturity when he or she turned thirty. Today it’s considered to be eighteen to twenty-one years. Either way, that’s a long time to raise a human being and get them ready for independent living. Other creatures do the job much faster. Hamsters are prepared to go on their own in three weeks. Kittens need only a couple months, and lion cubs are self-reliant inside of two years. Elisabeth Elliott wrote, “There never has been a time when children could successfully be raised without sacrifice and discipline on the part of the parents.” Let’s face it – the child-rearing duty is the most prolonged responsibility we will probably face. And like any other job worth doing, the crucial thing is to persist to the finish line. Today there are voices telling parents to quit, run away, and think only of themselves. And there will be disheartening moments along the way. But the rewards are worth the sacrifice. The Bible says, “The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will delight in him” (v. 24 NKJV). If you’re wise, you will recognize that there are things you can do for your children and things that only God can do. Knowing that, you will lift them up in prayer each day. “Arise, cry out in the night…pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward Him for the life of your young children” (Lamentations 2:19 NKJV). If you faithfully do your part, God will do His.