Today, in “Annie’s Mailbox” newspaper column, a woman who admitted having no desire for children wrote: “Babies are messy, leaky, smelly and noisy, as well as demanding and expensive.”
The woman is accurate. It is not logical to have a child. A baby will
drain your bank account and rob you of sleep.
It will be twenty or more years before he begins to truly appreciate all
you do for him. He will fight your authority and push the limits. Your lights
will be left in the “on” position, long after he has has left the room. Then,
there’s all the mess and the stress. Yes, life will never be the same if you
have a child.
The woman is accurate. It is not logical to have a child. A baby will
drain your bank account and rob you of sleep.
It will be twenty or more years before he begins to truly appreciate all
you do for him. He will fight your authority and push the limits. Your lights
will be left in the “on” position, long after he has has left the room. Then,
there’s all the mess and the stress. Yes, life will never be the same if you
have a child.
The reasons to have
a child defy logic because love is not logical.
Having a child will gently nudge you closer to God from the start as you
gaze into newborn eyes and marvel at the miracle of life. As the miracle unfolds you will become
intensely aware of how fragile life is; one bad fall, an illness without a
cure, a lapsed moment of care … so many ways, so much responsibility.
a child defy logic because love is not logical.
Having a child will gently nudge you closer to God from the start as you
gaze into newborn eyes and marvel at the miracle of life. As the miracle unfolds you will become
intensely aware of how fragile life is; one bad fall, an illness without a
cure, a lapsed moment of care … so many ways, so much responsibility.
But love is not logical and a child grows love in your heart.
Thus, your heart grows less logical and more spiritual. Through your
child, you feel your own helplessness since you cannot guarantee that the world will always go
round. Instead, you watch your baby and
feel your own dependence on God. As your child grows and
sometimes chooses defiance, you remember so many times you thought you knew
better. And then, you begin to understand
how God could still love you in spite of your childishness.
Thus, your heart grows less logical and more spiritual. Through your
child, you feel your own helplessness since you cannot guarantee that the world will always go
round. Instead, you watch your baby and
feel your own dependence on God. As your child grows and
sometimes chooses defiance, you remember so many times you thought you knew
better. And then, you begin to understand
how God could still love you in spite of your childishness.
A child forces you to die to self and live in a bigger world
of giving and caring. There are easier
ways but not better ones because through a child, giving becomes less of a task
and more a desire.
of giving and caring. There are easier
ways but not better ones because through a child, giving becomes less of a task
and more a desire.
Children will stretch you to your limits and push you on your
knees to depend on God and reach for eternity. For a child, you care more about
getting your own soul in order to better lead him to higher ground.
knees to depend on God and reach for eternity. For a child, you care more about
getting your own soul in order to better lead him to higher ground.
It is true that you will not simply wake up better one day just because you are a parent. But you will always want to be better because
you are a parent. And if your “wants” fuel your ambition, then you will strive
harder for heaven. Ultimately it is the best you can want for your child and
your children are the only things you can
take with you.
you are a parent. And if your “wants” fuel your ambition, then you will strive
harder for heaven. Ultimately it is the best you can want for your child and
your children are the only things you can
take with you.
Yes, you know people who have not experienced life and God on
a deeper level after the birth of their children, but it is understood that
such people are wounded. It is not the way it was meant to be.
a deeper level after the birth of their children, but it is understood that
such people are wounded. It is not the way it was meant to be.
So amid all the struggles and insecurities, amid strife and
fear, the love of your child will draw you closer to God. Sometimes you will be
reaching and other times you will be pushed, but your sights will be set on
heaven. And that is why a child is such
a good idea.
fear, the love of your child will draw you closer to God. Sometimes you will be
reaching and other times you will be pushed, but your sights will be set on
heaven. And that is why a child is such
a good idea.
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* Columnist, Theresa Thomas and I are working on a book, blogsite and Facebook page dedicated to promoting “Big Hearted Families”. We are collecting and sharing news and stories that support families to grow their hearts and souls. Come visit and share your own stories and insights. https://yourbigheartedfamily.wordpress.com/
Once again Patti, you have hit the nail squarely on the head! Our children are sources of grace, along with sweat and blood! I doubt very much that I would be so in love with the Lord, if I had shut the door on His creative prerogative…out of selfishness. As another mother of many, I relate profoundly….Children are indeed much work and worry….Oops. I mean 'concern.' But seeing them respond to the grace of God and eventually, them realizing their heart's desire to nurture their own blessings with Love's Light are, to say the least, awesome! And best of all, as you say, we get to take them with us to Heaven…returning our gifts of Life to He who made them 'for Love's sake.'
Beautifully expressed, Patti! Thank you!