Babies

People often ask my husband and me if we planned to have seven children, and I love to answer that question because it tells the story of a gentle shift in our views. I was forty-one when I became pregnant with our seventh baby—not something I would have ever thought I wanted when I was younger. Early in our marriage, we saw children as a blessing, but I’ll admit—the culture’s low view of children had clouded our perspective. We worried about the financial commitment. At times, all I could see in front of me was a demanding baby and an ungrateful toddler. Can you relate? If so, take a deep breath with me as we embrace what God says is good. His love for children is clear.

When I began to seek God’s heart for children, my heart changed. I began to see that babies are a blessing. Embracing God’s heart for children changed our lives. Sure, there have been difficult times. Many of them. In fact, my hunch is that you, too, may be tired and wonder if what you’re doing is worth it—but precious mom, know that it is.

God’s ways are always good. In answer to our prayers, God gave us a baby in our forties. Saylor Jane’s arrival in God’s timeline was in keeping with His good plan for us. Our lives have been enriched beyond our wildest dreams by this little “caboose baby” that the Lord gave us out of the goodness of His heart.

Planned or unplanned, fostered or adopted, special needs or perfectly healthy, God says children are a blessing and a reward. Let’s choose to see these precious ones the way God sees them—and experience the blessing that comes with embracing what God embraces.

WHEN YOU’RE STRUGGLING WITH AN UNPLANNED PREGNANCY . . .

Children are a gift from the LORD;

they are a reward from him.

I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

WHEN YOU NEED TO REMEMBER GOD’S HEART FOR THOSE YET TO BE BORN . . .

You brought me safely from my mother’s womb

and led me to trust you at my mother’s breast.

I was thrust into your arms at my birth.

You have been my God from the moment I was born.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body

and knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!

Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

WHEN YOUR PRAYERS FOR A CHILD HAVE BEEN ANSWERED . . .

I asked the LORD to give me this boy, and he has granted my request.