Children: Blessing or Hinderance?

As the birth of our baby draws near, I have been continually amazed by the people who feel SORRY for my husband and I.  Now, let me clarify, the vast majority of people around us are thrilled and happy for us.  There is one man on my husband's ship who always makes me smile.  I barely knew him when I told his wife that we were expecting a baby around our 12 week mark...  He gave me and my husband a giant bear hug and was so excited for us.  He has a one-year-old daughter and...well...let's just
say, one glance of him with his daughter and you can SEE the adoration.  It almost always brings tears in my eyes to see how much those two just love each other.  Fast-forward to when I was 33 weeks pregnant, and I saw this man again...  I still barely know him, and he barely knows me, but again he gave me a hug and said congratulations, and then just gushed about how having children is the best thing EVER.  It always makes me smile and I can't wait to see my husband and little one interact and I know they will have a great relationship.  Anyway...little bunny-trail on that little side story.  ;-)  The point is that most people are very happy for us.

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 But I have come across more people than I ever dreamed who are at the very least sorry for us...and feel bad that we are having a baby so soon.  Yes, I got pregnant on my honeymoon.  No, it was not really planned.  Yes, I will have a baby, Lord willing, 9 months into our marriage.  Yes, it is a challenge.  Yes, I am a little scared.  Yes - WE ARE SO EXCITED!!!!!! 

I have talked to so many women and men who fail to see the blessing in children.  They question whether or not I will regret not having a career.  Whether or not it will allow my husband and I to get settled.  Whether or not we are too young and naive.  To me, the answers are so clear.  No, I will not regret "missing a career" -- my goal and dream in life has always been to be a wife and mother!  No, my husband and I aren't going to go through turmoil because of a little one so soon after marriage - this little one is a blessing!  And for the record, I personally think my husband and I were settled within a month of a marriage...it's just the best thing ever!  And no, I don't think we are too young and naive.  Yes, we have MUCH to learn, but that doesn't mean that this baby is going to send us into shock.  We will learn much and I am sure there will be days of tears...but there will also be many days of smiles and laughter.

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In the midst of being rather appalled by these people, I have come to realize that they just don't understand the Bible and how the Lord works.  One reading of some verses in Psalms 127 should make it very clear that He is in control, and that children are always...ALWAYS...a blessing.  May we always remember that.

"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