Reactions!

On a weekly basis, I am still coming into contact with people that haven't found out that we are expecting baby no. 4.  I am continually amazed at people's response..... and when I say amazed, I say that in a positive way. I have gotten only a handful of, perhaps, negative reactions, but a lot have been positive.  Several people that I told first....before the *public* announcement was made..... were THRILLED!  What joy it was to share our news with people genuinely excited for our family!

Growing up, I never thought of myself as a burden on my parents.  I don't really remember a conversation that I ever overheard my parents discussing finances, how tight things were or what a burden home-schooling was on them.  I do remember times when we'd ask to eat out or tell my mother that since she didn't have cash to purchase what we were asking for, that she could just go through the bank's drive thru!  If only I had understand then that one income with a family can be tight!

Although, I never grew up being told that I was a burden, the more you interact with people outside your belief system, you become desensitized to the belief that children are a burden, rather than a blessing.  In the past, I probably found myself saying things and coming across negatively against large families.  Not because I believed that way, but because I didn't even realize what was being said.  Example:  You see an old acquaintance and they have 2 little ones in their shopping cart and they inform you that they are pregnant!  Instead of saying "How wonderful!"  I would say "Wow!  You're gonna have your hands full!"  And again, not because you think that they shouldn't be having another one, but because that is your first reaction and you just blurt it out or maybe because the kids are acting AWFUL!  ;o)

Now that I've encountered quite a few years of negative comments on us choosing to not use birth control, I hope (and pray) that my reactions to others family size is much more respect and in line with what I believe God teaches in His book.

How has the modern day church and society fallen so far away from the belief that children are a blessing?  I don't get it.  Its amazing to really read the Scriptures and see how much the Lord loved little ones and what a blessing it is to be given the responsibility of raising children.

Now, before you write this post off as a shaking of the finger for anyone that doesn't have 2+ kiddos, thats not what I mean.  God has a different plan for each family.  I don't know it and I can't tell you that since you feel that God has called you to have 2 kiddos, that its wrong.  But thats just it.  How often to we consult the Lord about our family size or any major decision?  Someone once told me that they weren't going to have more than 2 kiddos because they wanted to provide everything (financially) they could for their kids.  I say great!  Exciting!  How liberating to feel like you could ALWAYS provide any need or want that your children might have...and on a 2 income family.  To be able to afford any vacation or memory maker?!  I'm jealous!  Because of our decision, I can't promise that.  I often ask people "What in the world am I going to do when I have 3(possibly 4) teenage boys to feed?  I won't be able to keep food in the home.  I seriously start sweating because I just can't imagine being able to financially afford food for a 6 person family.  But you know what?  I couldn't sit back and stop having children JUST because of the fear that we couldn't provide every need and want or thinking of all the "what-ifs".  God tells me that He will provide for our needs. I have to be obedient to the Lord's calling for my life and trust that He will provide food and necessities for our large family.

So, I am forever grateful to the few people that have been genuinely excited for my family.  I definitely needed that support early on, because having this little bundle is definitely a big leap of faith for this planning and type A "everything in its place" kinda gal.