Not yet, but soon, we hope! Haha! I just thought that would be a great title for a story and thoughts I wanted to share!
I was at the store the other day when an older woman in front of me passed a younger lady on the other side and made a comment about the 3 children who were with her. She smiled BRIGHTLY and replied, "This isn't even half of my crew." I couldn't resist. As the older lady in front of me moved out of the aisle (with no response to the mother), I smiled pretty big myself and asked, "How many do you have?" She said there are 7 of them and one on the way, and she was BEAMING with joy! I couldn't help but tell her congratulations for the coming baby! I was truly excited for her!
As I went back to my mom's house (we were staying with her for a few days), I dreamed about what it might be like if everyone loved, respected and WANTED children as much as this lady. It would be so nice if everyone in our family and all our friends expressed the same excitement over #5 as they did with #'s 1 or 2. Of course, everyone loves #5 just as much, once they get to know him, but I can't imagine never having wanting him. What was life like without him?!
Life is always so much more full when you add another family member. Busier, yes. Harder, maybe in some aspects, but a little easier in other ways as kids get older. Full of love, always.
I have never really been much of a "baby person", though I do love babies, I just have never been the one to want to hold every baby I see, but I do understand that they are loved and valued by Yahweh. He told us to be fruitful and multiply, and children are a blessing from Him. I want His blessings! Of course, blessings come in many forms, but I certainly don't want to reject His blessings (in this case, with birth control), so we will probably be having #6 in the next couple of years......and I couldn't be more excited! I'll admit, I would like to regain control of my own body, but to watch these precious little gifts from my heavenly Father grow and learn all about Him and love Him with all their heart, it is priceless. I don't care if I do have a "bad" pregnancy or a bad birth experience for any reason, if Yahweh chooses to bless me then He will protect me and/or care for my family. Fear will not guide our decision making. That is what faith is, to trust that He will do what He promised us, even when we don't understand.
If anyone reading this is struggling with the idea of letting God choose the size of your family, just trust Him! He knows best, and He will not give you a child and then forsake you! He will take care of you and your family, whatever the circumstance.
