Sweet Sacrifices

So many times, when people find out that I am pregnant for the fourth time in four years -- and that we don't plan on stopping at four -- they will say things like, "I have my hands full with (one, two)...I don't know how you will manage." I always wonder if they are really asking how I will manage, or why I will manage.  If they are truly looking for the logistics, I'd be glad to spout them out.  Yet something in their eyes makes me think that they are more curious as to why I manage.  Surely anybody (especially one who is already a parent) can see that it does cost us more money, less sleep, and more personal sacrifices with each child we have.  I think what is really being asked is why continue to sacrifice?  What motivates me to keep going?  Why lose more sleep?  Why spend more money?  Why forfeit years more of your life as you put these little ones above yourself?

The answer is simple. 

LOVE.

My husband and I absolutely love everything about having kids.  We love making babies, we love me being pregnant, we love the birthing process (well, it's a love/hate thing on my part), and we love those first sleepless days of getting acquainted with the look and feel of the little face that we have already loved since before they entered the world.  We love first coos and first smiles and first steps and first words.  We love having those sleepy babies become active toddlers, active toddlers become curious preschoolers, and curious preschoolers become well-rounded little kids (I'll get back with you when those kids start becoming teenagers....).  There are countless sacrifices along the way, but those sacrifices are made out of our passion for our babies, and -- therefore -- we even love the sacrifices.  My husband and I love being a team in this, working together to raise these tiny humans according to God's Word, and it brings us closer and closer to each other the more we go through. 

This Thanksgiving weekend was a doozy.  We had four houses to go to in a matter of two days.  None of our children got naps of any reasonable length, I was staying up late working on some craft projects and cooking that needed to be done before the Thanksgiving meals, and -- the climax of the chaos -- my daughter broke her wrist and needed to get a cast.  I think I averaged about three hours of sleep per night for five days straight.  It was a trial and test of how much this 7.5-months-pregnant body could bear.

What I am learning is that God not only doesn't give us more than we can bear, and not only will He carry us in those times where we are running on less than fumes, but that He will draw us closer to Him through it all: 

As I was walking literally in circles because I was so deliriously sleep-deprived that I couldn't even focus, my groggy mind was reminded of Christ being weary and needing rest, yet caring for His flock instead -- and suddenly my fatigue seemed as nothing. 

As I was tempted to moan and complain about my achy pregnant body as I carried my fussy 15-month-old in the wee hours of the morning, the image of Christ carrying His cross AFTER having endured flogging flooded my mind -- and instantly my pain seemed minor and trivial.

And as I held the trembling body of my frightened and hurting four-year-old in the ER at midnight, I fought back tears as I heard in my soul "If you -- her flawed Mother-- can love her this much, how much more do you think I -- your perfect Father -- love you?". 

Having many children is not for everyone.  Having any children at all is not for everyone.  The sacrifices specific to child-bearing and child-rearing are not the cross that all are meant to bear.  But it is one way that I am learning to take up my cross and follow Him.  All Christians are called to pick up their cross and follow Him.  That cross comes in many shapes, sizes, life stages, and situations specific to each believer.  Right now, my cross is that of being a wife and mother, and I will attempt to bear it joyfully and selflessly through Christ.
If He could sacrifice His life for His children, I can manage to sacrifice a few hours of peace and quiet here and there for mine.

He sacrificed out of love for me.  I sacrifice out of love for them....and love for Him.  These sacrifices are sweet and sacred when made through Him, and the rewards are beyond any pain that must be endured. 

Love is always worth the sacrifice!