Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Whose battle?

We have friends who are expecting their first (second, third and fourth!) babies right now! Yes, quads! Can you imagine? They are doing a fabulous job of not only trusting God to provide all that they need, but also in giving public testimony of Gods sufficiency in their lives.

As I prayed for that sweet family this morning I was reminded that we are all called upon to trust God in ways that seem insurmountable.
I love having a large family, and I even love being pregnant, but pregnancies have not been easy for me. I am prone to extreme morning sickness... losing as much as 20-30 lbs some pregnancies. In addition I battle "very close veins," as the children say (varicose veins).  In spite of all that, I do count it a privilege to be blessed with another child. As I gaze at each baby's face I find myself thinking, "What if we had stopped before having this child?"


Some years ago now we had four children, five and under. Our baby Jacob was a mere three months old and we found out that we were expecting our fifth dear baby! Oh my! To say that I was feeling a bit overwhelmed would be an understatement.

That morning as I read my Bible, the Lord met me and encouraged me with this verse:

"Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, 'Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's.'"
2 Chron. 20:15
 I've got to believe that the Lord has a sense of humor.  I have thought about that verse many times since then as I have relished my "great multitude" of children.  
Granted, I do have a responsibility to obey, but the battle is the Lord's.  I can equivocally state that He has never failed.  Never.  We have never lacked the resources to accomplish what He has called us to do.

Oh!  How strong His arm is for you, in whatever challenge you are facing...

9 comments:

  1. I have said that very thing 'what if we had stopped' and I couldn't even imagine NOT having this precious baby in my arms. God is amazing!!

    I love that verse, thank you for sharing it~

    ~Cinnamon

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  2. Susan, Wow...four babies at one time? They are blessed indeed. I'll be praying for them that God will provide them an over-abundance of support ;) :)

    I don't have kids myself and I'm actually still single, while all my friends are married and with kids or kids in process ;) However, this was really neat to read, because I'm thinking God is good and babies are miraculous :) :) :) Thanks for the Scriptures. Oh, loved that last photo by the way with the dry grasses? and the water in the background :) :) Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather ;)

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  3. Very encouraging post. I have recently been praying and feeling convicted about 'leaving my fertility to God' and it is so hard to 'let go' (even tho I just love being a mother and adore my children) because of thinking that I can't be an adequate mom of many kids. Thanks for this post--it was encouraging to me. Reminded me that the battle isn't mine!

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  4. I only wish I had known of this line of thinking earlier in life. Children are a blessing and I'm so glad there are wonderful moms like you out there sharing your thoughts with us.

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  5. Amen!! I remember the most "fearful" time was when I was expecting our fourth. How was I going to manage?? God does have a sense of humor! I only had four children for two minutes!! Then number five was born (twins!)...since then God has blessed us with five more. He does consume my "worries" with his powerful peace! He is so patient with me!

    I will add your friend to my prayer list, too.

    Enjoy your day!
    Susan

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  6. ~Cinnamon, you *are* blessed, my friend! Give your little Rosie another hug and kiss for me~ she is so, so cute! And I do mean that... some newborns aren't nearly that adorable!

    ~Heather~ hey there, friend! I really didn't intend for this post to end up being an encouragement to "give the Lord control of your womb" I was just using that as an example. We all have different things that we are called upon to trust the Lord with, don't you think? I sure do appreciate your faithful encouraging comments here! Thanks!

    ~Natural Mama, I really, really can "hear" you on that. I have struggled with that very issue many many times during the past 22 years. In hindsight though I can see God's complete faithfulness toward me. He has never blessed us with a child and then *not* given us the resources (either financially or emotionally) to raise that child. They are all *so* perfectly a part of our family! I *know* that His plans (and timing) will be wonderful for you!

    ~Noel... as I mentioned above, it really wasn't my intention to make anyone feel bad about this issue. We are *all* a work in process. I'm so glad that the Lord is patient with me and leads me gently as I grow in my understanding of what He wants me to do. His plans for us are still good, in spite of mistakes we have made or things we might not have "gotten" in the past. Oh! How He loves!


    ~Susan, you are so funny! "I only had four children for two minutes!" LOL! The Lord *is* good to us, isn't He? Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!

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  7. Amen and Amen! Visiting from Camille's, and I relate so well to this post. Most of my pregnancies have been challenging,and God has strengthened my faith through each one. How faithful He is!!

    May God richly bless your friends as they honor Him with these precious gifts from His hand.

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  8. How encouraging you are Susan! Such a wonderful testimony of God's goodness! Thank you for sharing your heart. :)

    In Him,
    Camille

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  9. ~Trisha~ I agree. I think that since I *must* be molded into His image (and I do want to!) that challenging pregnancies are a pretty sweet way to do that! : )

    ~Camille, Thank *you*, as always for your faithful encouragement, my friend!

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