There is something really scary about raising eight children. What do you think it is?
It isn't the expense of raising so many.
I live in the most prosperous country in the world during the most prosperous time in history. Feeding, clothing and sheltering a large family doesn’t cost a lot, unless you’re trying to keep up with the Joneses. The same God who send mouths, sends us our daily bread. Psalm 37:25 says, “I have been young, and now I am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread.”
No, money is not my concern.
Is it the attention issue?
Am I afraid there isn't enough of me to go around?
No, I’m not worried about that. In God’s perfect method, with each child He gives, there is also a corresponding increase in the number of people within the family—people able to give attention. In other words, each child has not only two parents, but seven siblings. We believe children are a blessing and we delight in who he sends to us.
So what’s scary about all these children?
It's this: God doesn’t just ask us to conceive and bear children. He doesn't just ask us to go through pregnancy, childbirth, sleepless nights and potty training. Oh no. That’s the easiest part of mothering. We are called to raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
It’s a serious responsibility and yes I feel the weight of it.
Responsibility. We may be responsible for many earthly possessions and if we fail in our duty to care for them, life will go on. If we don't care for our vehicles or homes properly they may break down and cost us a lot of money to repair. But unlike earthly treasures our children will live forever in either Heaven or Hell. And that’s scary business.
So what to do? Bury our heads in the sand?
If we ignore the weight of this calling that doesn’t mean it will go away. It is indeed a great responsibility to raise children up who know and love God but changing our minds and deciding not it’s too hard, simply isn’t an option.
Oh, I know how hard some days can be. Days when you find no joy in it, that string into weeks. But if God calls you to do something, you do it. You don’t whine about it, give it to someone else to do or pretend you didn’t hear.
Deuteronomy 6 has called parents to be the spiritual teachers of their children. The Bible has equipped us for every good work. It is a good work to raise my children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. He will enable us.
A simultaneous Saint and sinner, Bambi was saved by grace through faith.
She’s a helpmeet to her high school sweetheart and together they are
sharpening eight arrows for the glory of God. Bambi spends her days
homeschooling, cleaning up messes (external and internal), changing
diapers, kissing boo-boos, reading books, and a million other duties she
wouldn’t trade for the world. Bambi loves being a keeper at home and
shares about her journey of grace in marriage, motherhood and family
discipleship on her blog In the Nursery of the Nation.
She is passionate about encouraging younger women to depend on Christ
alone for their salvation, sanctification and to depend on His Word for
the strength and wisdom required for marriage and motherhood.
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13 comments:
I thank God for godly woman who can be an encouragement to other woman. To see your steadfastness encourages me. I also am a Christian woman who is striving to serve the Lord as I along with my dear husband, raise our to sons. From the time they were in the womb we have prayed for their salvation. They are now 12 and 14, and they still have not turned to the Lord. Sometimes we face challenges I thought we would never face, but my husband and I move forward with God's help. I would covet your prayers if you would pray for my family. We are Paul and Peggy Caulfield.
Dear Christina,
When I read Bambi's post I understand that she is emphasizing the importance of teaching spiritual matters to our children. I know that everyone who reads a post can come away with a different view or perspective, but I encourage you to read through her words carefully and not read more into what is said.
Enjoyed this article. Thankyou ladies. The only thing I disagree with is America being prosperous. Considering they are not just billions of dollars in debt, they are trillions of dollars in debt. And even went into federal government lockdown so they could go more into debt. That's also a scary thought.
But yes, carrying,birthing and raising children, no matter how many you have is easy, when compared to the seriousness and urgency of raising them for The Lord. Because that's eternal. It's. Impact is greater than wether we do the best job at caring for them or not. We nosy face a pregnancy with a lot of trials ad testing. But in the light of eternity it doesn't seem to matter as much.
Blessings,
Mmolesy.
Praying for you, Paul and Peggy, and your boys. From Brandy.
After watching a documentary last night on what the average wage earner in the USA gets I was shocked to discover how poorly paid you are compared to Australia. You not prosperous at all and many many families are doing really badly as a result - however (and sadly) the rich are getting richer. But this isn't new.
Yes, raising Godly children is important and being a parents is very difficult and handwork, I don't think any parents would deny that.
I don't think our government debt defines America. Isn't there more to America than the stupid decisions that government officials make to fill their own pockets? What about the people of America? the ones who really make up the bulk of America are the hard-working middle class who love this country, die for this country, and reach out to others in need. Many of those still love and obey the God who has blessed this country.
I have six kids and strive to teach them God's Word and be faithful to the gospel and applying it in everyday situations. We see fruits of our labors as their hearts are worth laboring for! Persevere in obedience ladies and God's Word planted deep in their hearts will never leave them!
I was just thinking along these very lines this morning. Sometimes it can seem to be such an overwhelming task that I take the ostrich approach and bury my head.
I believe God is breaking me to the point where I realize it is not at all by my own might that I can do this. I must need a lot of breaking is all I know!
We as woman have the most influence on our children. They pick up how we relate to life in general and will respond as we respond. In our teaching, more is caught than taught.
Amen!!
I still disagree in part. There is a small pocket of families who seem to do well, a large part of Americans are on some firm of welfare, food stamps and coupons. Detroit, Michigan has filed for bankruptcy, albeit I think partly to mismanagement and partly to a struggling economy. Your a good portion of your land has been sold off to foreign investors for them to use for farming etc. if you are american, do not rely on government assistance whatsoever and do well in business, then yes, your family is reaping Gods blessings. I'm sure there are many hardworking well meaning families out there. But from the statistics I'm hearing from reliable sources, that is becoming somewhat of a rareity. My prayer is that those types of families will increase in number. The world is in need of them. But my point still stands. The majority of America as we know it is heavily in debt, forcing them to rely on government assistance. My country isn't a pretty picture either, but the majority here also relays on welfare. It's just a fact. But there are families out there that are reaping gods blessings. Both spiritual, financial blessings.
Please do not feel offended. That was not my intention on an otherwise great post. I 99% wholeheartedly agree. :-)
So true! At the same time it's probably worth mentioning that God is the one who really does the work in their hearts-remembering that takes the load off of us. We are faithful to obey His commands and let the Holy Spirit do the work.
I came here from Bambi's blog. June, I've also enjoyed your posts on Raising Homemakers. Can you tell me the source of the beautiful music on the blog? We have recently turned off the local Contemporary Christian radio station, and are looking for music sources. Thanks!
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