Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for March 2, 2010.

That is my due date.

We were rather surprised with the realization that we were expecting again, and I'm a bit ashamed to admit we weren't immediately jumping for joy about the news. You see, after Hudson was born, both Shannon and I had the feeling that we were "done". Never before, through nine pregnancies, had we felt that way. Surely it must be a "God thing".

Eighteen years ago when Shannon and I were doing our pre-marital counseling, our pastor asked us how many children we wanted to have. Shannon immediately answered 'ten'. His reasoning was that he needed ten teammates to join him and make a soccer team. I thought he was kidding.

Over the years, the babies kept on coming. Some were more 'planned' than others, but all were welcomed. The timing was better for some than others, but the circumstances always worked out. We have eight healthy children. Two more are waiting for us in heaven.

Our life is busy. We have church obligations, work obligations, school obligations, sports obligations, family obligations. A new baby will complicate that.

Selfish, I know.

But that was my first thought. We have had at least one baby in diapers since 1992. The end was in sight. Six more months, and I would have been done. Now I've got to tack another 3 years onto that.

Selfish, I know.

I will be 40 in February. My 'plan' was to be done having children by the time I was 30. I decided that when I was in high school. Obviously that plan was blown a long time ago, but still. Pregnancy is a lot easier in a woman's twenties than in her thirties.

Selfish, I know.

"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed, and in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them." Psalm 139:13-16

Although in my selfishness, this pregnancy wasn't in my 'plan', God had it all figured out. Who am I to argue with Him? He has carried us through trials, joys, ups, and downs. He will continue to provide all we need.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate." Psalm 127:3-5

We thought our quiver was full. God didn't. We're okay with that. I can't imagine a better man to have as the father of my children. We have awesome kids. Sure, they (and we) screw up at times, but we're doing our best to "bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4b. That's what it's all about.

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." 3 John 4

Besides, we still have one empty seat in the van.

"The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him." Proverbs 20:7