SavorSomeday

Children

I’ve been thinking a lot about this topic of late… 

There are so many thoughts and opinions swirling around out there about children.

I won’t even dive into the whole abortion and planned parenthood stuff.

The fact of the matter is, we all were once children.

Kind of a “no, du” statement….

But, I think we actually forget this little fact when we form our views concerning kids.

I was thinking about the different views that swirl around and my little sister came to mind.  

She was born in China.

She brings me so much joy!

Her presence has affected our family in a dramatically positive way!

In the country of China, families are taxed so heavily for having a second child that most families can only afford to have one child.

This has resulted in an outrageous number of “orphaned” children, mostly girls.

In our family’s case, I can have Joseph’s perspective -

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good - Genesis 50:20

God used China’s perspective on children to give me the greatest little sister!

The sentiment among American’s concerning China’s child policy is that it is terrible, wrong, and sad.

I agree!

As I thought about this, something hit me hard.

Many of the same people who believe it is terrible that families in China are only allowed to have one child, are the same people I hear voicing that it is just crazy or unwise for a family here in America to have a large family.

This realization caused me to stop dead in my tracks and sit contemplating…

Culture often mixes some murky water into our world view, including the aspect of children.

But, what is God’s view of Children?

I want to have HIS perspective!

God did not neglect to share it!

Here is a taste of what I found.

CHILDREN COME FROM GOD - God is ultimately in control of the womb.

“And I will make thee exceeding fruitful,” - Geneses 17:6 

“And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.” - Geneses 30:22 

 “But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.” - 1 Samuel 1:5 

“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee;” - Jeremiah 1:5 

CHILDREN ARE A BLESSING FROM GOD

“And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.” – Geneses 17:16 

“And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.” - Geneses 33:5 

“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. ” - Psalm 127:3-5

What God has said, and not said, has shaped my view.

Yes, abortion is WRONG! God is clear in His Word concerning sanctity of life. However, is it wrong for one family to only have one child or wrong for another to have eleven? God does not say. We must NOT take God’s Word farther than God takes His Word. 

Stop where the Bible stops.

I have struggled quite a bit over opinions concerning children; how many to have and when. God has brought my heart to a place that truly believes what one family chooses to do is between them and God.

Sometimes God does not give a couple any children and they long for one. Sometimes God gives a couple contentment to stop at 2 or 3 children. Sometimes God gives a couple a burden to adopt. Sometimes God gives a couple a heart desire to raise a dozen children to be godly men and women in our world.

The point I want to make is to encourage each of us to view each other with favor and respect. 

We should not whisper behind someone’s back about how many children they have or how few. For one, we do not have any idea about what God is working in their heart and life. God works in each one of us in vastly different ways.

If we believe it is wrong for the Chinese government to decide how many children a couple can have why should we put a number on how many children is right for a couple here in the states to have?  We do not have the right to say we are right and another wrong. We only have the right to say, “This is what God has for OUR family” and we should believe that the next family is walking with God as well.

Let’s respect and love each other, in Christ, and view each and every child, whether an only child, adopted or one of a dozen, as a gift and blessing from Jesus Christ !

Walk with God!