My children are blessings

I came across this blog post a few weeks ago by one of the mommy bloggers I loosely follow. Her topic was about biblical views on birth control and why she didn't use it. I personally do not and have not taken hormonal birth control since 2004. The point isn't really about my views or why I don't use hormonal birth control, but basically I agree with the blogger. I'm pretty hard core pro life and I'll leave it at that.

The thing that stood out most to me in her post was this idea below:

"Discussions about contraception and reproduction must also take into account the biblical blessing of offspring. Children are to be cherished as good gifts from a gracious God. Problems arise whenever this truth is forgotten or neglected. Some fail to embrace the goodness of the gift of children, instead viewing them as inconvenient. Others fail to remember that children are undeserved blessings that we are not entitled to. Neither disposition of the heart is healthy or right. Where children are neglected, disregarded, abused, idolized or demanded, God’s intention is compromised. As sons and daughters of a good and generous Father, we are called to possess humble and glad hearts that embrace the gifts that He has given and trust Him with those He has not."

It really seems we are in a society where the blessing part of children is overlooked. I'll be honest and admit that raising babies can be inconvenient.  I've even been resentful at times. Sleep deprivation and stretchmarks can do that to a woman. When people find out that you are pregnant with any child past a #2, they question you. Why would you want more than 2 kids? Did you do it on purpose? Don't you know how that happens? Anyone with more than 2 children probably knows those comments well. They are actually hurtful and unnecessary. I'm also certain that families who foster and/or adopt large families probably get the same hurtful comments.

Another way that this post got me thinking. My children are blessings and they are my mission field. At one time in my life, I thought I had a calling to life in Africa or the Amazon and do mission work. Who knows...maybe that is still in my future? Or maybe I'm raising a missionary? Often I feel like I'm just a mom and my job isn't really important. Now granted, my children have free will and will make their own choices - good and bad; but all of these little things add up to give them a life experience. It kind of makes it seem like a much more important role. Because it is. I know that every woman is not able to stay at home with her children and I also know that not every woman wants to. I know it was one of my deepest desires and we were able to make it happen with a lot of sacrifices. Even if you work outside the home, what you do with your children is just as important. God has just really put this in my heart. Those three little blessings that call me mommy are my mission field. My words matter. My actions matter. What we spend our time doing each day matters. They aren't going to have a perfect childhood, but I want them to know beyond anything that I love them with all of my heart. I'm so thankful God gave me those three beautiful babies.

I want to be the parent God intended for me to be. I'm challenging my parent friends to do the same. 

Proverbs 22:6

6 Direct your children onto the right path,

and when they are older, they will not leave it.

Proverbs 29:17

17Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind

and will make your heart glad.

Psalms 127: 3-5

3Children are a gift from the Lord;

they are a reward from him.

4Children born to a young man

are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.

5How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!

He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.

Psalms 139: 13-16

13You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body

and knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!

Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

15You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,

as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.

16You saw me before I was born.

Every day of my life was recorded in your book.

John 16:21

21It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world.  

James 1:17

7Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.