The Joy of Motherhood

With my nephew

  It seems to me that there is a problem with girls these days. In fact, I am sure of it. And if you look deep within you can see that problem, shining out. And it makes me sad. Of course there are many problems. But this problem has been one I've been dwelling on lately. What is this problem, you ask?

 Children.

 Actually, children aren't the problem. But they are what many girls claim as the root of the problem. Girls these days don't want kids. Some say, "I want a boy and a girl, maybe, but no others," but I find myself a little surprised at the amount of young people who don't want children... at all. When I hear this I feel a little sad inside, but rarely say anything because I don't want to upset anyone... or I don't know how to phrase it. Avoiding conflict is much easier than starting something that could jeopardize a friendship sometimes.

 But truthfully, I am deeply disturbed by this recent trend in a single... or married without children life. It seems that people have lost sight of a truth that is revealed everywhere. The truth that shows that there is joy in motherhood. There is joy in being a parent.

Psalm 127:3

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 

 

Genesis 33:5

And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant. 

 

Matthew 18:10 

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

 

 Psalm 113:9

He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD. 

 

My niece kissing my nephew

 

 As you can see by these scriptures, children are a great blessing. In the first scripture they are called a heritage of the Lord. They are part of His heritage. And they are also called His reward. Children are not a punishment, but a reward in the sight of the Lord!

 In the second verse, Jacob refers to his children as gracious gifts from God. 

 In the third verse, Jesus warns not to despise children. 

 And in the final verse I listed, God shows that children will make a barren woman joyful. 

 Because children are a joy!

 Since I was a young girl I've wanted to be a mother someday. And now that I have a niece and nephew to shower with hugs and kisses I realize how wonderful it would be. Of course, there is the responsibility. And children can be mischievous, and are hard work. But just as everything worthwhile in life, hard work is required. And it shouldn't be any other way.

 There are many reasons girls don't want to have kids. I'll discuss a few. Many of these reasons come back to the root of selfishness, or what society has told our young people.

 They don't want a child because of their body. Either they think it will hurt to have a baby, and so don't want to experience it, or they don't want to have to deal with their post baby body. But from what I've witnessed, and spoken with women who have given birth, it isn't half as bad as they make it out to be in movies. 

 They don't want a child to damage their chance at a career. But child rearing was the original career, wasn't it? It was what God designed women for. Not that you can't have a job and be a mother. Because lots of people do it. 

 They don't want a child because of the responsibility involved. See my earlier statement of work making things worthwhile.

And there are many other things people will say for their reason they don't want a child. But there is joy in motherhood. There's the joy of first kisses, snuggles, those drawings you can put on the fridge, and when they look at you and tell you they love you. The love of a child is one of the most extraordinary things God created. And if the Lord blesses me, I would love to experience the love of my own son or daughter one day. 

 

 But what do you think?