As we started down the large family road, Darin and I were questioned by many about our belief that we could trust God with this. We struggled with that very question before we realized that if we could trust God with our finances, safety, salvation...areas where we all regularly say we trust Him...then we could surely trust Him to deliver the number of children He saw fit to give. 
As time has gone on, and our first three have gotten older and more helpful and responsible, we are now confronted with well-meaning people who question just how involved they should be in helping with the younger three and housework. I have to tell you, our older three kids work hard. On a daily basis, Darin and I see the struggle in them that is a standard human struggle. Selfishness. They are surrounded by a culture that encourages self-service and indulgence over serving. We cringe when friends we love give our kids a pity party over their place in our family rather than championing their daily lessons in perserverance, service and self-sacrifice. Oh, that they would learn these traits now and not be forced to do it when they are 40 and have families of their own!
Kelly, at Generation Cedar, has reposted a blog entry that she wrote about a year and a half ago about this very thing. I remember reading it and it enouraged me then as much as it did today. Check it out. She has such a thoughtful response to this issue.
I’ve spoken at length about the counter-culture responsibility we have to raise servants of Christ in a world that screams the opposite. Families are the training ground for servant-hood. It is very easy in this day to raise children who carry a victim mentality, but it is crippling to allow it. Again, balance must be present, but we teach our children that it is a command (and privilege) to serve each other (and Mom and Dad must demonstrate that serving); anything else is disobedience to the Word of God.
As time has gone on, and our first three have gotten older and more helpful and responsible, we are now confronted with well-meaning people who question just how involved they should be in helping with the younger three and housework. I have to tell you, our older three kids work hard. On a daily basis, Darin and I see the struggle in them that is a standard human struggle. Selfishness. They are surrounded by a culture that encourages self-service and indulgence over serving. We cringe when friends we love give our kids a pity party over their place in our family rather than championing their daily lessons in perserverance, service and self-sacrifice. Oh, that they would learn these traits now and not be forced to do it when they are 40 and have families of their own!
Kelly, at Generation Cedar, has reposted a blog entry that she wrote about a year and a half ago about this very thing. I remember reading it and it enouraged me then as much as it did today. Check it out. She has such a thoughtful response to this issue.
I’ve spoken at length about the counter-culture responsibility we have to raise servants of Christ in a world that screams the opposite. Families are the training ground for servant-hood. It is very easy in this day to raise children who carry a victim mentality, but it is crippling to allow it. Again, balance must be present, but we teach our children that it is a command (and privilege) to serve each other (and Mom and Dad must demonstrate that serving); anything else is disobedience to the Word of God.
You want truly happy children? Get this one thing through to them: We are here to serve, not to be served.
Read more HERE.
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