Psalm 127:3 says that "children are a heritage from the Lord." I have shared with you all in a previous series about my quiverfull convictions and I won't repeat those here, except to reiterate that I believe the Bible teaches that children are a gift from the Lord to be greatly desired and appreciated. We know that God is the giver of every good gift (James 1:17) and what gift, apart from salvation, should be more desired than children? You've heard it said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there." (Job 1:21) Ecclesiastes adds that man "shall take nothing from his labor which he may carry away in his hand." (5:15b) Timothy summarizes both of these verses when he states that, "We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out." (1 Tim 6:7)
While it is true that we will carry nothing out of this world, it's not true that we can take nothing with us. According to the book Heaven by Randy Alcorn, which is a very well researched treatise on everything heaven from the Bible, we will take our memories, skills, personality, and relationships. In light of the knowledge that we will know one another in heaven, what better use of time is there on earth than investing our lives in people? There are certainly many ways to do this. Teachers have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of the children they teach. Pastors and friends are there when folks go through the dark times in life. But it's hard to think of a relationship in which you have greater ministry opportunity than that of the parent-child relationship. So, if the Bible tells us children are a blessing and that every good gift is from God and that we should invest ourselves in others, why not adopt?
I read a beautiful blog post today by Shonni at Nations Around our Table which answers the question "Why adopt again?" and hope you have time to read it. What a wonderful testimony of a love for others, faith that God will work out all the details (finances, sibling adjustment, etc.), and hope that raising these little ones up in the Lord will not be in vain.
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- Celee
- I'm an on-the-run mom to 6 kids who studied and taught exercise science in a previous life. I love all things running, nutrition, and health-related. I usually run at zero dark thirty in the morning and am often quite hungry before, during, and after my run, but I live a rich, full, blessed life with my children, family, and friends. My faith in God is my anchor, and looking to Him and His promises allows me to live fully even when life circumstances are difficult. While running gives me an appetite, my desire is to hunger and thirst for righteousness more than for physical food.
Thank you for you sweet encouragement. That was one of the hardest posts I have written because I so badly wanted to "show" my heart on this. Other than saying that I am passionately crazy I am not always sure what to say.
ReplyDeleteSo, I pray that the post is an encouragement for others! And thank you again for your precious heart!
beautifully written... I'm excited to read more on your blog
ReplyDeleteWhile I appreciate your conviction in this posting, I don't believe that everyone is called to have children or else adopt. My husband and I have tried for many years to conceive and have had multiple miscarriages. We are unable to adopt because of my husband's past long-ago criminal history. So, I either endure more emotional and physical torment or we decide to stop and be childless. That was never my desire, and in fact I've been told by many Christians that I'm being punished because I'm unable to have children.
ReplyDeleteSo, if you believe in a God that demands or requires of you to bear children or adopt, I'm afraid he isn't looking out for me. Perhaps he forgot that not everyone is able to do so. Sad, really. I always thought God loved the world. Apparently, he only loves parents.
Dear Anonymous friend, I would never assert that God only loves parents. Jesus was not a parent, yet He invested His life in others. Neither was the apostle Paul a parent, and many other saints who have lived and died for the cause of Christ. I believe it's in my post on orphan relief care that I agree that not all may be called to adopt. And in one of my posts on quiverfull, I can't remember which one, I talk about the many ways we can invest ourselves in one another such as teaching, mentoring, etc. The Bible does not teach that God demands child bearing or adoption, merely that children are a blessing. I think the better argument is over not preventing children. You haven't done that friend. God has not withheld children from you as a punishment, but has another noble cause for you. Maybe it's in mentoring a niece or neighbor child, teaching Sunday school, or just opening your heart to those the Lord brings into your life. And there are so many ways to become involved in orphan care. You can sponsor a child monthly and help change that child's life for the better for such a small amount of money. God is sovereign and His will is perfect. He does not choose the same path for all of us, but each of us is called to walk the path He leads us on in obedience.
ReplyDeleteMy mother struggled with infertility for years and my dad didn't feel adoption was right for them. I was their only child. My mom was always volunteering in our community. She wondered many times why God didn't give her more children. She asked Him again and again and each time His answer was no. She still doesn't know the answer, but in the meantime has made such a difference in so many people's lives. She leads a Bible study that over 100 women in our city come to. And she's been leading Bible study for 20 years now. She has discipled and counseled many women, some with their own ministries today. God had an important path for my mother, though it didn't involve the big family she had dreamed of. I trust that you are also having an impact on those around you in ways you may never even become aware of this side of heaven. The apostle Paul said of himself that he was a drink offering being poured out. We should all see our lives that way. Whatever we have is the Lord's and His to use how He chooses. I'm confident He'll use your life to His glory just as I pray He'll use mine.