children

Okay, I know this is a reoccurring theme with me but it is something I feel rather passionate about. Last night I went out to a restaurant with some other women. Half of them I had never met before. People are always surprised when they find out I have children, ages 11, 13 and almost 2. Their first question to me is always, "Was she a surprise or was she planned?" My response was that we were always open to more & have never used artificial birth control. One of the women's responses caught me off guard as she asked if I am Catholic. Well, yes I'm Catholic but I still don't think it has much to do with my decision. I am not opposed to artificial birth control. What I am opposed to is people deciding on their own, apart from God how many children they will have. This happens so often, equally as much among christians where they make the decision on their own to have only one or two kids and they don't even think to consult God on the issue. I think the reason for this is because we have the wrong attitude regarding children. We see them more as a right instead of a gift. This is also why people that can't have children end up turning to invitro or other artificial means to conceive. Children are seen more as a piece of property and a right.
Everyone is familiar with the Duggers, the family that has 17 kids. Now, it takes a special person to have that many kids. Personally, I don't think I could do it but I have a lot of respect for them. There is one thing I like that Mrs. Dugger says when asked if she thinks they have too many children. She answers by asking if there could be too many flowers in the world.
I think it is awesome that God allows us to share in his creative power and bring a being into the world that will go on to live into eternity. I still want to use wisdom and seek his direction on timing but I also want to be open to how many he wants to give me and not take that decision lightly. If he has plans for me to have more that means I will be able to handle it.