The benefits of having a large family
The definition of a large family is different for everyone. For some that might be 3 children and for others 12. With number 6 on the way, I feel like we are going into the big leauge of family sizes. Though raising a large family is not without it's challenges the benefits and blessings are innumerable!
I love shocking people when I am out alone and they ask me if my growing abodemen is going to be my first child. The look on their faces is priceless when I tell them it's my 6th! They always ask me how I do it. I sure don't do it perfectly. Just because you have a large family doesn't mean you are super mom it just means you have different priorities and have learned to adjust with each new baby.
It's so funny to me how when you have a big family people think they need to know what your family's intimate plans are.
"So are you done now?"
"Are you just trusting the Lord?" As if we are not if we only had 2 kids!?
"How many more are you going to have?"
"How do you feed them all?"
"How do you afford it?"
"You only have 2 bedrooms?"
"And you homeschool too?"
The truth is that though my husband and I hoped for a big family we had no idea what the Lord had in store for us. We have taken it one child at a time and have been so blessed with each one even if it might have not been our exact plans. God is ultimately in control and have been so glad each time he has changed our plans and blessed us beyond what we deserve or could have hoped for.
Though there are many challenges to raising a large family, the benefits far outweigh the difficulties. Unfortunately in our day and age when people see a large family, they just see $ signs. It's so sad that our culture often views them only as a burden instead of a blessing. But if you believe God's word you will see that children truly are such a blessing and you get far more than you give when you choose to embrace them as Jesus did.
"Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14 ESV
Read the rest of the post over at My Joy Filled Life!
I have 2 children, but 2 was not my plan...it was God's. For some unknown reason, I was hit with mysterious fertility issues after my 2nd child, and no matter how much I begged God for more children, my womb was not re-opened. For 17 long years, I battled with God about this, until, in 2010, he finally gave me peace about no more.
ReplyDeleteThrough the long, painful years, though, I was often told by "large family" moms that I "should be trusting God with my the size of my family." After asking me how many children I had, one lady said, "Well, Hans (husband) and I are trusting God with the size of our family." She had made the judgment that I was not simply because I had 2 children.
Other gals told me I "must be under a curse" because "God always gives lots of children to those who trust him with the size of their family."
Anyhow, blessings to you on #6. But please always remember that not everyone with a small family wanted it that way.
Blessings,
Patti @ Embracing Home
I am so sorry you have suffered from infertility. That's so hard! But how wonderful that God has given you 2 beautiful children. I hope you didn't misunderstood my post. If you read the whole post you would see that I mentioned that I don't know why God allows some to have many and some none at all. I just wanted to emphasize that no matter how many, children are a blessing! And I realize that the size of your family has nothing to do with your faith or preferences. Much love!
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DeleteI think it's wonderful that you're having your 6th! Just as I think it's wonderful you treasure each of your children! Congrats again!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kendall!! xoxo
DeleteHey Rebekah,
ReplyDeleteI found your post today on Wise Woman.
Love the idea of a big family. We only have two children, and many times I've wished we'd had many more!
Congratulations on #6.
Blessings,
Melanie
However many, they are a true blessing! Thanks so much!
DeleteI clicked through to read your post Rebekah, and I agree with all your points :-) Here in the UK, any number of children over 3 is considered a large family, and I struggle to think of anyone I knew with more than 3 when I was growing up. Needless to say, me expecting number 5 is seen as very unusual here, except among some homeschooling friends! Thanks for writing this.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gwen! :) Even in the US when we are out in public it can be an oddity feel like we have to reeducate this generation to see children as the huge blessing that they are. So excited for your 5th!
DeleteRebekah I love how you focused on the blessing of children! I am one of 7 but would have loved if it were 10, 12, or 15!
ReplyDelete@Lizette. Why worry about space or money? If the Heavenly Father gives a gift, why would you not accept it? He is the one who provides... we have seen this over and over again!
The important thing is to be right with Him and loving each other... everything else will fall into place.
I don't speak blindly. We have been in need time and time again and recently, when we were "really" needing some extra cash, a lot of my father and brother's tools got stolen. Do we panic? What good would that do? We continue to work and pray and our Heavenly Father will provide.
Space and money are really not nearly as big a deal as we make them to be. Our Heavenly Father WILL provide for the children He gives.