In whatever form it takes place from outright rejection to seemingly harmless prevention, our nation's epidemic of refusing one of God's greatest blessing is quite disturbing. Our nation screams, "We want blessings of money, health, spiritual gifts, talents, wisdom, but no, no, no, God, please keep that terrible "curse" of children from us! We have so many things to accomplish and just don't have the time, energy, or desire to raise Godly children for You to go on into the next generation. Bless our bank account not our fertility!"
Does anyone else see something wrong with our great "Christian" country's attitude? It's actually quite easy to pass over what I am saying as being extreme or maybe I'm making too big of a deal out of a little issue, but I beg to differ. I listen to young woman after young woman state how much she hates small children and NEVER wants any of her own. Instead, she is set on a big career, fabulous husband who serves her in every way (if she even desires marriage at all, but if she does, by golly, he'd better not hold her back or prevent her from her fullest "potential"), and a nice house, car, and bank account to suit her shopping and spa addictions. In the meantime, Muslims are populating by the dozens and we insist on no kids, or maybe a big family of two kids (of course a boy and girl). It won't be long before we become a Muslim dominated culture by mere population increase alone. If you don't believe me, look at our population replacement rate right now...it has fallen below replacement rate. That's quite honestly, beside my point right now.
I'm reading a book now, written in 1985, called "The Way Home-Beyond Feminism Back to Reality" by Mary Pride, a former feminist. It was written over 20 years ago, but we certainly haven't gotten any better. She says,
I believe the reason that Christians have not been successful so far at stopping abortion in this land is because we have not yet understood and confessed our part in bring it about. Typically the Christian understanding of abortion has been 'The central issue in abortion is the question of human life. But the great assumption of the proabortion movement is that the fetus is not a human being. However, as we have just seen, the lid is off the abortion racket; everyone know that 'fetuses' are human. In fact, they are pushing for more and more experiments on and organ transplants from these poor little human beings. Yet women still have abortions. (pp. 73-74)
She goes on,
The typical Christian response...is that our sins have been (1) lack of political involvement and (2) lack of acceptance for unwed mothers. This is not correct. We are not all called to be lobbyists or politicians any more than we are all called to be preachers. Nor do we owe it to every unwed mother to provide her with money, a home, a day-care center, and a job (to say nothing of pushing her into this feminist careerist lifestyle). Mercy? Yes, for repentant sinners. Compassion? Yes, for those who ask for help. We do need to repent of our sins before God; but political naivete and a strong stand against fornication are not sins. Nor have they caused abortion. (p.75)
The church's sin which has caused us to become unsavory salt incapable of uplifting the society around is selfishness, lack of love, refusing to consider children an unmitigated blessing. In a word, family planning.(p.75)
I'm concluding with this one,
When the church came out in favor of family planning, it produced certain effects. Outside careers because truly possible for women with the blessing of the church. Only when a woman deliberately chose to stop having children and was able to carry through on her plans would she be able to launch a career without fear of 'interruptions.' This was the first wave. The second wave was a sudden demand for abortion, to insure that her new career plans were fail safe. Along with this came a decreased dependence on her husband, leading to marital stress as she felt more free to do her own thing without bothering to consult him. You know the rest of the story. Epidemic divorce, abortion-on-demand, child abuse, the popularity of homosexuality (with women trying to become men, who wouldn't be confused?), infanticide, and so on. All because children are no longer considered a blessing.(p.75)
This woman has so much to say! (I would recommend this book to anyone interested following God's plan for womanhood.) I'm not sure if she is 100% correct, but think about it. I really believe she has some tremendously valid points. Unfortunately, we are so brainwashed by our Godless society that even Christianity has been effected.
So, I'm not really going to get everything down that I wish to say today, but please consider
your attitude towards children. Would you rather drive a Mercedes by yourself or an old mini-van (not that it has to be old...just paid for! :)) full of precious, eternal, human lives? I don't think I could ever look into the face of a baby and tell God I didn't want it or didn't want anymore.
I'll leave you with some verses (taken from The Message version), all emphasis is mine.
Genesis 17:20
And Ishmael? Yes, I heard your prayer for him. I'll also bless him; I'll make sure he has plenty of children—a huge family.
Genesis 28:3
And may The Strong God bless you and give you many, many children...
Genesis 35:11
I am The Strong God. Have children! Flourish!
Isaiah 23:1-3
Wail, ships of Tarshish, your strong seaports all in ruins!
When the ships returned from Cyprus,
they saw the destruction.
Hold your tongue, you who live on the seacoast,
merchants of Sidon.
Your people sailed the deep seas,
buying and selling,
Making money on wheat from Shihor,
grown along the Nile—
multinational broker in grains!
Hang your head in shame, Sidon. The Sea speaks up,
the powerhouse of the ocean says,
"I've never had labor pains, never had a baby,
never reared children to adulthood,
Never gave life, never worked with life.
It was all numbers, dead numbers, profit and loss."
Isaiah 29:22
And finally this, God's Message for the family of Jacob, the same God who redeemed Abraham: "No longer will Jacob hang his head in shame, no longer grow gaunt and pale with waiting. For he's going to see his children, my personal gift to him—lots of children.
Isaiah 57:3 (This is pretty convicting)
But you, children of a witch, come here! Sons of a slut, daughters of a whore. What business do you have taunting, sneering, and sticking out your tongue? Do you have any idea what wretches you've turned out to be? A race of rebels, a generation of liars. You satisfy your lust any place you find some shade and fornicate at whim. You kill your children at any convenient spot— any cave or crevasse will do. You take stones from the creek and set up your sex-and-religion shrines. You've chosen your fate.
Jeremiah 29:6
Marry and have children. Encourage your children to marry and have children so that you'll thrive in that country and not waste away.
Mark 9:36
He put a child in the middle of the room. Then, cradling the little one in his arms, he said, 'Whoever embraces one of these children as I do embraces me, and far more than me—God who sent me.'
and I saved my favorite one for last:
Psalm 127:3-5
Don't you see that children are God's best gift?
the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?
Like a warrior's fistful of arrows
are the children of a vigorous youth.
Oh, how blessed are you parents,
with your quivers full of children!
Your enemies don't stand a chance against you;
you'll sweep them right off your doorstep.
