‹ Back

Wisdom 4:1 "Better than [children in an unrighteous generation] is childlessness with virtue, for in the memory of virtue is immortality, because it is known by both God and by men."

 

I was feeling sorry for myself this morning for not having any grandchildren yet, nor any sign of the marriages that would produce them. I talked to God about it, and He answered me with this, telling me that childlessness (or grand-childlessness, I guess) with virtue is better than having children who are part of an unrighteous generation. As I pondered this passage, I thought we don't remember the saints for their children, if they had them. Their names are remembered because of their virtue and holiness, not because of their progeny. That virtue is what I should be striving for, rather than pining for grandchildren with whom God has not yet seen fit to bless me. 

 

Further, I have felt for some time that we are in an "unrighteous generation." The widespread acceptance of abortion alone is enough to validly label our generation as unrighteous. If I had grandchildren, they would be raised in this culture. Right now, my children are not practicing their faith, so any grandchildren I had would probably not be baptized. They would be growing up in this unrighteous generation without the protection of that sacrament; without having been marked as a child of God and brought under His protective care. Without that, they would be easy prey for the wickedness of the world, and I would most likely be beside myself with worry for them. Better by far for me to accept God's will in my and my children's lives while striving to become more virtuous.

 

God knows what is best, always. He will give my children children if and when the time is right. Right now he is protecting those potential children from being part of an unrighteous generation whose "offspring are accursed" (Wisdom 3:13). He is answering what would be my future prayers for my grandchildren now by keeping them safe in His mind's eye until their parents are ready for them. And if that time never comes, that is part of His will, as well, and He will remember my virtue in accepting it.