God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply.” Genesis 1:28
God gave Adam and Eve a remarkable wedding gift: the ability to have children. As they portrayed God’s unity by becoming one flesh, they would further reflect His image by bearing children in their own image and likeness. Through God’s blessing on their loving union, Adam and Eve would begin their God-given task of multiplying and filling the earth. Their children would bear their image physically, showing characteristics of both father and mother. They would also emulate their parents spiritually, enjoying a personal relationship
of love and communication with God. From the womb, they would be His children, and He would be their God.
Through the outworking of the parent–child relationship, God intended that the nature of heaven would be more fully revealed on earth. As Adam and Eve learned how to be parents by looking to the love of God the Father, they would tenderly, patiently, and sacrificially provide for their children’s needs. Through their example, and by loving discipline and
communication, they would teach their children to glorify God. Out of gratitude, their children would honor and obey them, imitating God the Son. All family members would gain a deepening understanding of their identity as children of God, and a greater love for their heavenly Father. By the power of God the Spirit, Adam and Eve’s home would reflect the love of God’s heavenly home.
Behold, children are a gift of the LORD. Psalm127:3 NASB
Erin, California — Apple Vendor, Ladakh, India — Sister and Little Brother, Kathmandu, Nepal
Returning to the Himalayan region of Ladakh a year after taking this picture, I brought a print to give to this girl’s family. When I showed the picture to people in the local bazaar, a young boy grabbed it and signaled me to follow him. Winding down a maze of narrow alleys, and ducking though numerous head threatening doorways, we eventually emerged into a small interior courtyard that was flanked by several doors. Disappearing behind one of the doors, the boy quickly returned with the girl and a large crowd of excited family members, who were rejoicing as if I’d come from Publisher’s Clearinghouse. Food and drink soon appeared, and a hearty celebration began, uniting peoples from worlds apart in a shared moment of joy and common understanding.
Children’s children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father. Proverbs 17:6
Girl with Grandfather, Peshawar, Pakistan — Father and Son, Chitral, Pakistan — Safety Zone, Ecuador
Everywhere I’ve traveled, nothing has so effectively opened the door to communication and understanding as expressing an appreciation of someone’s child. Even the hardest man’s face softens with pride when his son or daughter is being photographed. For a brief and wonderful moment our defences come down, as together we focus on a child, and thus share a common emotion that connects us as human beings.
The mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them. Psalm 103:17-18
Kashmiri Girl, Srinagar, India 50. Festival Dress, Takamatsu, Japan 51. Young Hiker, Kitzbühel, Austria
There are magical moments when you glimpse a fleeting expression that is so compelling your mind seems to freeze it in time. These visions rarely occur when you have a camera in hand, and almost never happen when it is focused in the right place. Many such sights are recorded in my mind, but few are on film. This is one of the exceptions, taken in Kashmir, India, as a young girl joyfully glanced my way at just the right instant.
You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:13-16
All in the family, Connemara, Ireland