Really loved this article called ARE CHILDREN ALWAYS A BLESSING

Every week, I empty out my purse and gather together all the old
receipts, gum wrappers, snotty tissues, and church bulletins that have
been stuffed in while in haste to get somewhere and clean up fast. The
other day I found the sonogram from baby #3 that I had tossed in and
forgotten to take out. These pictures are usually passed around with
relatives, framed in pink or blue ceramic figurines or at least placed
in a keepsake box. I think I still know exactly where my other boys’
anatomy sonograms are located, even with all the chaos of moving, but
this one was sadly relegated to the pit of Mommy’s ever present trash
bag. Don’t worry people, I saved it from the unforgivable trash bag.
What is the difference this next baby boy? Is he not a blessing from the
Lord?

I have to be transparent and admit that I have not been treating this
pregnancy as the miracle it is. When I was young, I knew I wanted to
have a large family, similar to the one I grew up with. I suppose that
as I have grown older and more impressible by the world and social
standards, I have lost the simple belief of my childhood that children
are always a blessing from the Lord. I am sure many would not
judge me for having drawn away from that belief; instead maybe, would
they rejoice that I see the “light”?

Our culture is very concerned that we know the dangers of children to
our health, financial, and retirement status. At the gym this morning,
the morning news stated that each child costs their parents about ” a
quarter of a million dollars.” Surrounding me were women whose bodies
had been stretch, scarred, and abused by their children’s births and
lives, and they (as well as I) were trying very hard and futilely to get
them back. When I met an older mom a few months ago to purchase our van
from her, she did not congratulate me on my pregnancy, which was why we
were buying it, but doubtfully asked me if I didn’t want to be able to
afford karate, ballet and traveling baseball for my kids? What would
they do for fun if I couldn’t pay for their entertainment? Thankfully
the Fireman was not in the conversation, because when I told him later,
he said, “I guess they’ll just have to learn to play outside.” She may
not have received that well.

So, even though I have been raised to believe that all these reasons
do not make children any less of a blessing, I have been tempted to
think they may have some truth after I found out about this third baby.
Our current living situation and financial state could be fodder for a
complete Dave Ramsey show on why we should not have be having another
child. The reason why I waited so long to tell anyone about the
pregnancy was because I was ashamed. Ashamed for people to look at me
and make judgements about our family’s sanity. Ashamed of the pitying
looks I know will come when I am haggardly pushing two crying kids
through Walmart and waddling because of a large belly.  Ashamed to admit
how tired I am, for fear that “Well, its your own fault,” will pop out
of a rude person’s mouth one day. Do any one of those reasons make this
child not a blessing?

NO. No, no, no.  Those thoughts and fears come from a source which is
not Truth, which rejoices to put doubts into the minds of people, and
to turn them to thinking that children are the root of our unhappiness.
But, if I believe that the Bible is total truth and that God does not
lie, should not His words determine what is really true?

“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.” Psalm 127: 3-4

Also, I have been challenged to find an example in the Bible where
children are not a blessing, but a curse. Bear with me, I understand
that there are many examples of children who brought great sorrow and
grief to their parents, but this was not without neglect or lack of
discipline on the parents part. I am not, however, writing about those
situations. I have looked for an example of how the birth of a child was
a curse or disappointment, or how a child was the downfall of the
family because they could not afford it’s clothes, hospital bills, or
summer camp fees.

There are none.

On the complete opposite, children were heralded, loved, desired, and
vainly sought after by those who had many and those who were barren.
Rachel and Leah were in constant battle for who could have a child next,
though between both they had more than a dozen. Even if we look outside
Biblical history, and into the world around us, it is progressive
thinking that has brought the lies that children are abhorrent and
destructive to our lives and happiness.  It is this “knowledge” that I
have to constantly guard myself against and remember what the Truth
really is.

Here are examples of truth from my own family:

My parents could not afford to save money for each of their eight
children’s college education, but six of us have attended school and
have degrees, while the eighth has just started his. A few of us have
had to take out loans, but they were minimal in comparison to the entire
cost of our tuition.

My parents could not afford to save up money for a vacation home or a
personal airplane, but because of their sixth’s child’s job, they have
been flying for free  (and unlimited) the last two years to spend their
“vacations” with their children and grandchildren.

My grandparents were not able to save up enough money to have 24/7
onsite care for my 95 year old grandfather in his own home, but because
of  my grandparents eight children, and over thirty five grandchildren,
as well as great-grandchildren, he has not be put in a depressing
retirement home but is cared for every hour of the day and night by
those who love him, and are not just working a job.

My parents were told that they were crazy and irresponsible to be
having so many children….but many years later, those same people came
back to them, and expressed the unfortunate desire that they would have
done the same, if they could do it again.

Children are always a blessing.

This is the truth we should be hearing from our brothers and sisters;
this is the truth we should be proclaiming to the world. This is what
you should say to me when you see me at Walmart.