Large family comments

Well meaning strangers, friends and family often make comments about our large family. This is something that, for the most part, we are used to. Many of the comments are kind, often joking, but sometimes rude. Sometimes the comments bring tears to my eyes, mostly because it saddens me that others don't see my children for what they are. They are blessings. Gifts from God. Lives that we hope and pray will be lived for Christ. Instead they see burdens, hard work, mouths to feed etc (or it's just not normal and can't think why we would do this). From those thoughts often come hurtful comments.

Psalm 127:3-5 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Today while shopping a woman made a comment that brought tears to my eyes. I really struggled not to cry. This was different though. This woman sweetly leaned into me and said "you have a beautiful family" then she softly touched my arm and said "thank you for choosing life."

Psalm 139:13-16 
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

The tears came to my eyes. This woman got it! We choose life. We thank God for being the author and creator of life and for giving us these precious lives to care for, for a time. We choose to model every day that we really do believe that life is a blessing and well worth the sacrifice to make the choice for life with open hearts.

It took me a minute to catch my breath and go to the woman who had already moved on and thank her for seeing my family for what it is. A blessing, and a choice for life.

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