From the moment that you get a positive on a pregnancy test, you are in love. You start planning the future for the new little person tucked deep into your womb. Even though your baby is literally the size of a dot at the end of a sentence, you are madly, deeply in love.
Let's face it. There is nothing better than babies. Babies are wonderful gifts sent to us from the Father. They are fearfully and wonderfully made. They are proof that God wants the world to go on. Science has a hard time even describing the miracle that takes place when sperm meets egg, and a new life is sparked. With all that goes into the reproductive cycle, and timing, and all of the things that can go wrong at the beginning of conception, but don't, it's a miracle that we are able to conceive, sustain, and birth babies.
It's a miracle that I don't take for granted. I feel humbled that God has seen fit to bless me ten times with pregnancy. So far, I have seven living children, two in heaven, and one new little life growing in my womb. I am beyond the moon excited every time I see those two pink lines, indicating that God has opened my womb yet again. I love being able to tell my children, and see the joy and excitement come over them. Having older kids while still having kids is the best. When they see the joy cross your face when you are talking about the new baby, they see a glimpse of how much you love them, and how excited you were when you found out they were growing in your womb. They see all that goes into pregnancy- the fatigue, the sickness, the aches and pains, yet they also see the positives. The ultrasound pictures. The excitement. The love. Having a big family is the best, and I love it. It's hard, but it's so worth it. In fact, I still don't even think of my family as that big, even though people look at me in shock when I tell them I am pregnant with my eighth child. It just seems normal to me. Not that big of a deal!
Unfortunately, this mindset is growing more and more rare. The world brainwashes us into worldly thinking when it comes to having babies, and lots of babies, at that. Career women are elevated, stay at home moms mocked. Children are seen as brats, and nothing more than trouble. The husband in the home is usually made to look like a bumbling fool, while the nagging wife and the unruly children taunt and belittle him. Families are made to feel like they need to have a ten room mansion to house their big family in, and if it's anything less, they are horrible providers. They are made to feel like their kids should have everything that life has to offer- the newest clothes, best IPhone, electronics, the latest video games, fancy trips. And even though this is a very worldly concept, promoted by Hollywood, this thinking has crept into Christian homes and mindsets.
I know of preachers who advise newlyweds to go onto birth control when they get married. There are so many problems with that. First of all, when you research birth control pills, you will find that the side effects are horrible. Mood swings, acne, messed up cycles, weight gain, depression, the list goes on and on. Not only that, but pills have the potential to abort fertilized life. Horrible advice all around. They are told, "Just get to know each other for a year or two. You have plenty of time for babies." But when they decide to try after a couple of years, they go off of birth control, only to have problems conceiving. Birth control also has the potential to cause fertility problems! If you are a newlywed reading this, do your research. Birth control is wicked stuff. Some may think that that is a bold claim, but I stick by it, because I have done my research, and I know what that stuff does. Plus, I have seen it in so many friends' lives.
With each new baby, I wait longer to tell family and friends about our new addition. Why? Just because I am over the moon excited, doesn't mean that they will be. I have already been getting the comments. "You are almost 40, when are you going to stop?" "Don't you think seven is enough?" "Are you trying to be the next Duggar family?" "Are you going to keep having kids when your kids start having kids?" And frankly, I just don't want to deal with it. This is my life, my conviction, my decision, and no one else's, and they can just keep their mouths shut if they aren't excited for me. I never remember asking anyone to take care of my kids, feed them, provide for them, and raise them. My husband and I have taken full responsibility for that. I am with them 24/7. I raise them. I do. No one else. So, no one else's opinion matters.
For me, I see every new child as a blessing. I am humbled that, even with all my failings and shortcomings, God would choose to bless me with another life. I don't take that lightly. I know all that goes into raising kids- the blood, the sweat, and the tears! And for me, it's worth it. The blessings far outweigh the cons.
Children are miracles from God. Let's never lose sight of that. And if you don't agree, just keep your opinion to yourself when someone you love tells you they are pregnant for the fifth, sixth, seventh, or tenth time. Choke back your negative words, put a smile on your face, and tell them, "Congratulations." Because even if you aren't excited, they are.
I will always be in awe every time God plants life deep within me. The seven best moments in my life have been when my baby was placed on my chest for the first time. There is nothing better. Kids are God's greatest blessings, and I will always believe that.
For me, there is no greater calling than being a mother.
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