Saturday, May 19, 2012

I'd Rather...

At my house we play a game called "Would you rather" and it goes something like this...
Everybody sits around the living room or riding in the car and we ask different people things like "Would you rather walk on burning coals or swim in ice water."  Then the person says what they would rather do and asks another person something like "would you rather eat a bowl full of worms or drink a glass of swamp water?"  Sometimes this game gets really gross and out of control, but it's a lot of fun, and the kids love to come up with crazier, yuckier, weirder questions...  Lately I've had a lot of people asking me a lot of questions about our plans for more children and it made me think of this game.

Tonight as I was rocking my "baby" to sleep all of the conversations of the past few days were swirling in my head and the I'd rathers came to my mind.  He's going to be 2 this week.  This will be the longest that we haven't had a baby since we started having them.  Naturally people want to know if we are finished because they know usually by now I would be pregnant.   The thing is we (Bobby and I) aren't controlling that.  We as a family have been praying for a while for a new baby and longing for the day when that happens for us.  We have decided that the Lord knows what we can handle and we're gonna trust Him about this.   I feel for my sisters who are in very tough positions and are making big sacrifices one way or another on this issue.  Some are deciding it's time to quit...  Believe me I understand.   Some REALLY don't think they can handle another child, but in the hidden places of their heart they long for another one.    Then their are woman who just don't want any more...  I don't know where you are on the spectrum, but this is where I am:

I would rather have 10 more than never have another baby to hold.
I would rather have a 1000 more sleepless nights walking the floors with a crying baby than to sleep another night in peace.
I would rather live in a tent filled completely full than to have an empty nest.
I would rather be nursing for the next 10years straight (that would make me 45 if you're wondering) than to never nurse again.
I would rather cry everyday, because raising children is such a difficult task, than to have an easy life.
I would rather have 10 more children, than have another vacation.
I would rather dress in rags, than be designer clothes if that meant I had could never have another baby.
I would rather have the volume at the highest decibel of screaming and laughter from a full and happy house, than have quiet and peace.
I would rather be having a baby every two years, than not have another one.
I would rather teach 10 more children; please and thank you, Jesus loves me, and how to read, than have time to discover who I am again... 
I would rather have 10 more just like Caleb, than to never have another.

I think you get my point.  I have "those days" all the time.  Earlier today Andrew cried for at least 2 hours and of course I started crying too.  It's not easy.  I was thinking about the baby stage and how hard it can be.  Then the ones when you're teaching them to walk and you have to follow them everywhere.  Then the two's when you lose your sweet angel and they become a tyrant. The 3's and 4's all the way up to the 20's there is something hard and challenging, but they are so worth it.  I would rather have 15 children than be done right now.   I'm praying that the Lord will send us an angel through adoption.  To me this life has nothing to offer without the blessing of new life...  Children are a blessing from the Lord and the only thing worth investing in!!!  Some days I don't "feel" that way, but I know that passes and that the Bible is true... Children are a blessing, a gift, and a reward.   So, NO I'm not done... Lord willing!!!

8 comments:

  1. I really wish Rick "would rather"! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nothing is too hard for the Lord!!! Love you Sharity. Thanks for always sharing your heart!!!

      Delete
  2. SO well expressed!
    "I would rather teach 10 more children; please and thank you, Jesus loves me, and how to read, than have time to discover who I am again..." I think who we are grows with the children, but it is hard to know who that is when you can barely go to the bathroom by yourself!
    "I would rather have 10 more just like Caleb, than to never have another." Insert one of my children's names here. I totally understand this feeling, but I could say just the opposite some days (as one of mine is in time out as I type this). I'd rather have NO more children than.... This parenting gig is tough!!
    I wish you and Bobby as many children as the Lord wills! Oh, and I plan to borrow the "I'd Rather" game for our family...Sounds right up a seven year old's alley! Love you girl!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jeni... I know it is hard, but it's making me a better person. It would also be easier IF the world system didn't make it seem like such a better choice not have them. It would also be easier if you didn't have to look at how easy other people have it when they don't have children on purpose. It would also be easier if we knew what our ancesters knew about raising children... I don't think it was this hard for them. I don't think they had A.D.D. and all the other disorders to deal with, that are caused by food and other environmental stuff. With Caleb I have to watch every single thing that goes into his mouth because He is so much more sensitive to food and sugar than the other kids and it affects his behavior so much. Somedays I cry alot about Caleb. It IS VERY HARD, but I still can't help myself I want a BIG FAMILY and I want to keep having children for a while. I'm just not ready to give up yet!!!

      Delete
  3. You are so right! Children are a blessing from God, I was listening to a pastor preach on that the other day. How God entrusts us with our children and how they are made in the image of God. We serve an awesome God.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You are so right! Children are a blessing from God, I was listening to a pastor preach on that the other day. How God entrusts us with our children and how they are made in the image of God. We serve an awesome God.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Children are, indeed, a blessing. My daughter is 16 and I am having a wonderful time watching her grow and become a young woman after God's heart. My boys (14 and 12) are a challenge, but I am trusting God and praying - a lot!
    As far as I am concerned, we're finished having children. Though I know God could change those plans. Either way, I am also looking forward to grandchildren - to loving them, and loving my children as I support them with their own!
    ~Karen

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for coming by... let me know what's on your mind!

You've changed

 It's a subtle thing that I don't think people even realize they are doing but it's always there, that look in their eyes and th...