This post is just to remind you that as a mother of children, you are blessed of God. Really…..I know the culture is screaming that you are overpopulating the earth if you have more than one or two. Christians also chime in, making sure you understand you are limiting your potential to serve the Lord because these kids will take up all your time. And let’s admit, even your own heart at times is whispering to you: what does wiping noses and behinds accomplish anyway?
The only real and true answer is found in listening to the voice of the Creator who sends those blessings to us in the first place~
Need some affirmation? Spend some time reading Psalm 127 & 128 where God talks of blessing the man/woman who fears Him with the fruit of the womb. Remember Rebekah when she went away to be the wife of Isaac? Didn’t her household ask God to bless her womb abundantly as a sign of His blessing on her life. The same can be said about the union of Ruth and Boaz. In the very beginning, God commanded his children to be fruitful and fill the earth~it wasn’t a sign of irresponsibility to have children, but rather a blessing to the earth and the people in it.
Somewhere along the way, we, as a culture and even within the church, have lost sight of the truth and embraced a lie. The truth is children are to be received with thanksgiving, realizing they are given as God’s heritage to us. These are little souls, that you and I have the privilege of shaping for God’s glory. Tune out the lies that rob you of life giving truth and be joyful that God has chosen to bless you!
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
I must say I’m not really convinced… We should also take care of the earth that God created, so when the earth is being destroyed because it just can’t handle all these people and their needs, should we not care about that?
I do think children are a gift from God and I do think that God is the One Who decides whether or not you will have children – and how many… If you have 10 children, then that’s what God wants from you! If you have none, same story but it will make you probably very sad… He is in control and we should enjoy what he’s giving us!
But I also think we should at least care about what that is doing to Gods’ creation.
God said “fill the earth”. We did. And now we’re just overpopulating it and destroying it… But that’s not because of children but because of HOW we live ofcourse…
The earth isn’t empty anymore
So I think it is a tricky subject
I’m not sure yet what I should think about it… Maybe we should just develop a new style of living that’s better for Gods’ creation!
God gives and God takes away. It is HIS choice to populate or UNpopulate the world. It is not man’s abilities to create children. Sure people can have sex, but it is still God that causes that sperm and egg to meet. So let’s let God rule the heavens and earth. He is big enough to stop all of creation should He chose to do so. I say, let us rejoice with every single baby born.
You can always trust the Lord with how many children you have and how they will affect the world. In reality, the world is not overpopulated! There is plenty of room and there are plenty of resources – it’s just that some people are keeping those resources for themselves instead of seeking to meet the needs of those who are suffering. It’s so sad – and a reminder that we need to stop being so selfish and start looking for ways we can minister to others. I’m so glad God is gracious and forgiving to me when I am consumed with what I want instead of keeping my eyes on Him.
Thank you for the reminder. It is so important to remember the high calling of raising our children for the heavenly kingdom. I have experienced the discourage attitudes at church when you can’t always commit to some activity because it is not conducive to what you’re working your children towards.
Looking forward to reading those Psalms.
surrender2survive.blogspot.com
Thank you for this needful, short, and to-the-point reminder. May we have a reformation in our thinking about the incredible privilege and blessing of raising up children to our God.
Thank you so much! What a nice way to start my morning by reading this!
Thank you! A lot of negativity can come from even close family, my own mother is so negative about each and every pregnancy I have. The doctors look at me and ask “oh is this your first?” and are shocked by “no, its my third”. I don’t even like getting comments when ppl see me with my 3 and say “oh you’ve got your hands full”. Of course, that is obvious…but I love my kids, I love having my hands full!! We are blessed!
I never took “you have your hands full” as a derogatory statement. I took it as a compliment because they were assuming I was an active, involved, hands-on mom.
Evie, whenever someone says, “You’ve got your hands full” respond with “Better full than empty.”
Thank you thank you thank you for this post! It came at just the right time! It never ceases to amaze me how people will offer unsolicited opinions on overpopulation when they see I’m expecting my third. So thank you for the encouragement!
I had taken my 11yod for breakfast yesterday and a couple came in with twin babies and the waitress said, “Twins, how great you got it over with all at once”. I was really taken aback a bit , but then again this is how the world thinks:-(
I have five children and three grandchildren now. My oldest is 27 and my youngest 6, I wouldn’t want to think of life without any of them!
Thanks for the reminder!
Wow… I just love how God made us women with such a loving passion to raise children in the admonition of the Word! What a privilege and what a joy we have because this is our call-to wipe noses, clean toilets, care for our husbands. I’m not married yet, nor am I a mother, but I have had the blessing of caring for children as a nanny for many years. I love the struggles that came with caring for four children. It kept me on my toes, but never were they a hindrance for me. I pray for the day when the Lord will make me a mother and that each one I will receive with great joy and know that each one is a blessing!
Christa
Oh, I feel ever-so-blessed with my daughter, especially since the road to motherhood was long (7 years).
I so needed to read this. We had our fourth blessing a couple of months ago and immediately inherited:
scowls
horror filled facial expressions as passersby count four little heads
the whispers
the comments about finances
the ‘you have your hands full’ said with a cheesy closed lipped smile that is obviously actually conveying chagrin
eye rolls of people who think you are overpopulating the earth, (apparently not realizing that the population of the world can fit in the state of Texas with one acre per family unit – enough to plant your own crops rather than sucking off the government and therefore, us hard working tax payers – and, since God is the author of life, wouldn’t He know it if the earth was getting too full, and stop giving babies, or is it really in our hands as much as we think? oops, a rant, sorry)and on and on.
Yes, then there is:
the whole ‘limited potential for serving God’
and
‘rather raise two who are on fire for God than 12 mediocre Christians,’ as if it is the number of children that determines the outcome rather than the parents’ walk with God and the decisions of each child.
Has anyone stopped to notice that many couples who only have one or two children lose them to the world at times, as well as those who have large families?
Frankly, I have only once spoken with a child who was from a large family who didn’t like having so many people in their house.
Advice in hushed tones as another, wiser Christian pulls you aside to just make sure you would never dream of having more.
Accusations of irresponsibility
Assumptions that you can’t possibly take good care of that many children properly (especially when you are very sick with morning sickness)
Inference of lack of self control and planning
Overboard reactions if any of your children ever act up
Major head wagging if you are late for something
Loud, rude questions anywhere and everywhere about your bedroom affairs such as ‘So are you guys done yet?’
People you used to enjoy being with dropping your friendship like a hot rock
and those who don’t being obviously fidgety and embarrassed to be anywhere near your family in public
Far fewer invitations to birthday parties or gatherings and then lame, unsolicited apologies for this as they explain that they are sure you consider it an earth shattering inconvenience to take your ‘whole tribe’ anywhere, like, how do you even shop for groceries, or survive with only one bathroom?!
and so on and so forth, need I go on? Ridiculous. All of it. Like four children even constitutes a large family in the first place!
Wow, not to complain, but I didn’t know I was signing up for all that when I excepted, with joy, a fourth reward from the Lord.
I sure can’t see myself standing there saying ‘No, thank you.’ though, if God is willing to give out more rewards! I’m all for it. I’ll have as many children as He will give me, and others can go ahead and dry out their teeth as they gawk so grossly at us walking by. The smiles of my children and my God are definitely of more worth than their twisted, perceptions and judgments. One day they will all rejoice with me at these blessings, and in the meanwhile, I get to practice being gracious and meek, as was our Lord in the face of those who opposed Him.
I just read through their response and I’m sorry that you have experienced such things. I’m sickened that others would treat you and your children in such ways. Also, I’ve learned from you! I have many friends with 4+ children (I am a mother of two) and I have said such things as “how do you do it?!” etc. never intending on hurting their feels but I will be wiser now and watch what I say.
I’m so sorry that you have had people respond to you and your family in such ways. Although I only have two children, my own mother has made comments like these to me just because my pregnancies are very hard (I have had many miscarriages also). I also get saddened to hear Christians posting comments such as the very first comment on this blog about the fact that we are “overpopulating the Earth” or that people are “destroying the Earth.” Do they really think that we, created beings, have the power to destroy something, that an all powerful creator has made? Yes, we are called to take care of the Earth, but I have a hard time believing that having children is harming it. Thank you for your post.
I’m sorry my comment hurt you, that wasn’t what I meant… But I’v studied this subject and I have a heart for Gods creation. Maybe we can’t destroy Gods beautiful creation, but there’s someone else in the world too… If everyone would live in the way most people are living, we would need 9 more planet earths! But God only gave us one…
I also said I’m not convinced of what some studies say, that it’s all because there are too many children… No, I don’t think that’s what’s going on… I’m sorry if my way of putting down my thoughts hurt you!
But I do think that if we don’t change the way most people are handling the earth, that God will have to do something about it… We see earthquakes, floods, other disasters… Maybe the earth just can’t handle it all anymore??
Again: NOT babies/children! But the way we handle everything. People should share what they have, be careful with what God has given us, use the earth wisely! I know people with 6 children that really care for the earth, so it is not about children… I’m so sorry that I maybe didn’t make myself that clear about that topic Patti…
Children are a gift of God, and I believe that God will show people how to deal with earth problems…
It’s just not ok to say that the earth doesn’t have problems… My heart goes out to what God has given us as a place to live in… And I don’t always know how to express my doubts and worries…
I didn’t mean to condemn or hurt anyone, I’m sorry if I did!
You should ignore those awful people! Obviously God has a plan for you, as he does all of your children, and every other human he placed on this earth! If he didn’t deem it necessary for us all to be here, we wouldn’t be! I know so many women who would love to have a child of their own and can not. Please know that you are so truly blessed to have your four, and how many ever more God decides to send to you!! Rejoice and be happy in the Lord, for he is good!!!!
Thank you! I needed this reminder today!
Really Blessed! That is how I feel. Especially since we never thought we’d ever be able to be parents! Through adoption God has blessed us with 6 kids and counting! It’s His perfect plan for our lives and we truly feel so blessed. Children are a blessing and this Is God’s plan. He doesn’t warn us to limit these blessings or to be ashamed! Delight in the gifts God has given you!
While we teach our children to take care of what God has given us while we are on this earth, this world is temporary and we need to remember to keep our eyes on things above and not loose our eternal focus!
Thank you SO much… It is so important to get these reminders often!
Graet post! Just today I saw in the news that the US birth rate is at an all time record low! Children are such a treasure!
Thank you! I am so tired of battling worldly thinking. I had my 4th blessing 4 months ago, and we are not using birth control right now, so another could come at anytime. My husband and I, and our children, are all excited about the prospect of more, and I know that God has been speaking to my heart about this. But I am bracing myself for the reactions from people that I know will come. I already have to put up with the people who are against the fact that we homeschool, but I also know that God is calling me to that. I only aim to please HIM!
When people ask if my baby is my first, and I say, “no, fourth”, I sometimes get comments like, “and you’re still sane?”. Come on. When someone said that to me, my daughter looked at me with such a sad look…I think she knew that the woman was implying that the children are burdens. Sad sad sad.
Thank you for this reminder. I’m having a tough mommy day today (with my two year old testing me and being fussy, and my little one on the way making me very tired and nauseated). We are missionaries and I’ve been frustrated that on this tough mommy day, I’ve had to postpone a meeting with a friend and that I’m not able to make a big meal for the people we are having over tonight. Thank you for the reminder that I’m not serving God less by having my efforts and time filled with caring for my children!
Just yesterday my 15 yo daughter asked me what it “felt like to be a mama” I have 4 beautiful daughters & 2 in heaven. I told her the truth, at times it can be very draining, emotionally, physically, spiritually & that it’s very important to go to God every minute asking Him to pour life into you because your giving so much of yourself. I then told her that I would never change a thing & that all 6 of my children our worth any sacrificing I give. I am still blown away that the Creator of Heaven & Earth would entrust to me, a lowly sinner these precious beautiful lives. I would rather sit & spend a day lookin into their sweet faces tellin them all about Jesus then be “called to ministry” elsewhere. My children are a gift from God & being there mother is an honor. I look forward to God’s gifts to keep coming as He wills them into my life.
I am a homeschooling mom of 4 with another girl due in October, and I have to say I’ve had many of those things said to me as well…even by family. Even when they are trying to be funny it can hurt. Thanks for the encouragement, as it was something I needed today in particular.
I have been really observing our culture lately. I watch how others deal with children. I’ve been to a wedding where little children were not in the ceremony (intentionally) and another where the children were to be seated at the reception seperately from the parents (so parents wouldn’t be burdened and children could be “watched” by strangers)–we didn’t let them.
I go to the grocery store and college students sneer at me with my four and clerks give me a look like they feel sorry for me.
At church, we have all our children sit with us quietly and look around and wonder, “where are the children?” Oh yeah, they are being rounded up for Kids Church.
Humans are not overpopulating the planet as we have been told we are doing by the environmentalists. Look at the birth rates in Asia & Europe….unless you are Muslim.
I love my children and am praying for more if that is the Lord’s will. I love being with them throughout the day as we learn together. I feel sad that our culture is becoming more and more hostile to children and large families and segregate children from adults.
Thank you for your post! Children are such a beautiful blessing!
You know, I had to check the stats about TX. When numbers get that large, I have a hard time estimating. By the figures I found, each family of four people (world average is 2.5 kids per woman) if I did the math right, gets 1/10 of an acre, which sounds to me like a pretty small apartment. Then you need to figure in infrastructure: roads, water, sewage, stores, farmable land vs. rocks….
So maybe not just TX. Maybe we need to throw in several more states, or even all of them – which still makes the point nicely.
We are God’s creation. The only part of his creation that has a soul. We are the part of the creation he died for and the part that he promised to never flood out again, please note that reminder in the sky after a gift of rain.
I don’t think he would save us and make a promise that this earth will be destroyed. We should always care for what we are given, and the most important thing we are given is our children. We are never to take care of the things of this world as if they are more important that the “heritage of the Lord” (Psalms 127:3), the children.
God is in control. My dear husband and I got ridiculed when I was pregnant with my SECOND! I mean, really? Two is too many? But, shortly after that second child was born we lost our first born, God knew what he was doing. Never doubt that.
“there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” Proverbs 14:12
We have 6 blessing from God and actually hope the LORD will bless our home with many more children! Many people have said mean and thoughtless things to us over the past few years when they would see me pushing a double stroller and pregnant! Thankfully it is the LORD that my husband and I will answer to and not men. I can’t imagine God responding to the family HE made like this world does. Since when do we have the “all knowing wisdom of GOD” to know when HIS commands are no longer valid. I did not see a completion clause on “multiply” nor did I read an exception for when the world has too many people… so who should we get rid of? As for taking care of God’s world, a larger family is often more concious of being economical and make better use of a 3 bedroom house than most couples with 2 children! Battle these things out with your Bible and your heart open to GOD’s Word and Will. Do not pass judgement on others choices to follow God’s Word as they feel led but rather let us support each other as we serve the LORD with a Pure heart and desire to FOLLOW HIM!
I have an only, and while I would like more, thisis hte best choice for me.
Some people DO have more children than they can handle, and that is sad. And when one has health conditions that make pregnancy dangerous, it is irresponsibe not to use birth control-think of hte child(ren) you already have!
I’m not aainst large families-I know some who it was a great choice,and just meant to be. And then I have a friend who could have died from pregnancy complications, leaving her young son. I dt think she know pregnancy would affect her that way, but now she does, (she has a chronic illness) and i hope she is done with this one.
I get REALLY tired of all hte inferences that my daughter and I aren’t a :real: fmaily due ot our fmialy size. It’s one reason I don’t attend church, altho I am a christian.
I looked for christian parenting blogs to feel less alone, and the judgment htere is even worse.
Don’t like when you are judged because of hte size of your family? I agree, you shoudln’t be judged just by the size of your family. And neither should I. So please, don’t judge me. My child is just as much as blessing as your 6 kids, ok????
I really could have used an encouraging post today, but I get one that isn’t even intended for me, but only to parents of large families. The post started out well, that children are a blessing, but then to go on and exclude small families? Not cool. at. all.
Becky:
All children are a blessing from God, regardless of your family size. I had an only child for 11 years and felt no less blessed than I do today with 4. God opens and closes the womb and you can rejoice no matter how many He chooses to give you.
Blessings to you,
Rhonda Devine
I am sorry so many have been faced with negativity about their children and pregnancies. I get a LOT of smiles and admires from elderly people and moms who’ve littles have grown into young adults. I have faced negativity, though. While pregnant with my 3rd, a woman in church told me that I don’t need anymore children and that when my husband gets that look in his eyes, I should tie him to a tree. I nearly swallowed my tongue! (I should have responded, “but I LOVE when he gets that look in his eyes!)
Frankly, the negativity doesn’t bother me too much. I get a kick out of smiling broadly at people who snear or make comments. Let THEM marvel at us.
As for over-population, I have two thoughts:
1. If God opens and closes the womb, doesn’t HE then have control over the world’s population?
2. Why is it that people feel the need to go after stable, loving families who have lots of kids rather than those unstable women who have kid after kid out of wedlock? Granted, we shouldn’t “go after” those women, either. After all, God knitted together all those babies, too.
{ 1 trackback }