My husband and I are latecomers to the "full quiver" crowd. We went through the vasectomy/oops, what did we do/vasectomy reversal thing, and had our first reversal blessing almost one year ago. We would not take back the reversal for anything. We believe that God has shown us through scripture that children are a blessing that God decides to give or not give. The stories of Rachel, Leah, Hannah and others are perfect examples of how God controls the womb. Psalm 127:3-5 are also some great verses:
Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.
Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
When my husband and I were going back and forth over whether or not we should get a reversal, we read this verse and decided to take it literally. We looked up what a quiverfull is. From a Google search, we discovered that a quiverfull is 8-12. :-)
We are learning firsthand how God is in control of the womb. I don't want to gross anyone out, but this month, with the timing of things, it seemed to DH and me that there was no way that we were going to make it out of the month without pregnancy news. We were kind of excited, and a lot nervous, because to be honest, we still struggle with this decision. We understand that God has led us here. We understand how He has blessed us through our children and because of our children. But I guess it takes awhile to get away from the world's thinking on how many children are "enough." Especially when our days are filled to the absolute brim with the four we already have. The thought of a fifth seems daunting, and DH and I have found ourselves praying for the strength to LIVE the things we have talked so much about concerning children, and God being in control.
So we have no pregnancy news this month, but either way "we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe (1 Timothy 4:10). We leave our family to Your will, God.
We have so been in the same boat as you! I almost got a tubal done after having four beautiful children(three c-sections). God told us, NO, STOP! We struggle with the idea of having more kids as well and what part of our fruitbearing is in God's hands. We realize that if God can decide to give many ladies (sadly, but in God's plan for them) no children, He can certainly be in control of the number of children we can have. We live in such an anti-child society. Why would we want to create a hostility to children in our "christian" homes. It doesn't make sense. We do still struggle and wonder how we will manage with a large number of children. Without Christ we can do nothing and He will never give us something that is too big for us to handle...He promised us that! Thank you for your post. Take heart...there is only one that will put a doubt in your head about children and that is satan himself. He tries to do the same to us. Lean on Christ and do this wonderful thing called motherhood in His power alone! :)
ReplyDeleteDeb
Wow, what a great post Becca!! You know where we are in this as it was such a pleasure to share our story with you so many years ago (seems like forever, but it's only been 3! LOL). God has been so good to us. You know there have been times that Pete and I just "knew" that we would have news to share with others about a future pregnancy - yet, we were disappointed that wasn't the case. It's always been God's timing and yet, we still have a hard time remembering that we really aren't in control! Our reversal/QF babies are 23 months apart. We couldn't have planned that! Many of my friends try to have their children 2 years apart - on purpose, and yet we gave up control and look how He blessed us. We are praying for more, and that 2 year mark would be coming up soon! :) Pray with us, please, that God would be gracious enough to bless us again! At this point, I'm 100% sure He is blessing me with more time to get my home and spiritual life in order. He wants me coming to Him, leaning on Him, and having order in our home. So, I truly believe that He is giving me the time right now to do just that.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Christine