What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow. ~ Martin Luther

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

If I could answer that for you....


"WHY would she DO that to herself?" "Why do THEY do that to themselves!?!?"

If I could answer that question for you.........

I will go through nine months of morning sickness, back aches, and heartburn; I will endure hours of the most intense physical pain in delivery and I will mourn the loss of my high school figure for a cause far greater than sometimes even I imagine.

I bring babies into this world not just for me. But for YOU. I bring babies into this world for this NATION.

I set aside my own hobbies, free time, opportunities for travel, a fatter wallet and my own personal preferences and instead devote every waking moment of every day (and plenty of sleepy moments too) to the committed, consistent training of our children.

I do this because I know that those children will one day be men and women.

I do this, knowing...

We are raising men and women to be freethinkers- questioning information given to them from authority against the true authority of scripture.

We are raising men and women who devote their minds, arms and sweat to beautifying this earth instead of wasting their time and gifts behind a videogame or a television set.

We are raising men and women to cherish old people on their deathbeds and babys in the womb and who will fight to protect the lives of both.

We are raising men and women who will know the rights and freedoms that are ours and who will protect those rights at all costs.

We are raising men and women to respect this earth as the gift that it is and to treat it as such at a time when people don't think twice about tossing soda cans out of car windows or styrofoam burger containers in parks.

We are raising men and women who will value the sanctity of marriage and will lead generations in positive examples.

We are raising men and women to put aside their own selfishnesses and to seek out how to help OTHERS, even at the expense of themselves.

We are raising men and women who will love to learn and will continue to do so, every single day of their lives, and in doing so, never cease to better themselves or those around them.

We are raising men and women to be financially wise, who will save a nation from the wreckage of bankruptcy that is our legacy and their inheritance.

We are raising men and women to be humble enough to know where their goodness comes from and to be thankful to the Only one who gave it to them.

We are raising men and women to be honest and good, in a world that is rampant with lies.

And if we do it right...
and with the promises of God to bless us in our obedience....
we will see our children grow into these men and women, who will have many children of their own...and then their children too will have children and soon.... SOON...

a nation will be renewed and strengthened and a kingdom will be made stronger with the great attributes of the great children that we bore.

The name Newman will not be lost, but will be multiplied greatly, anchored firmly with respect and honor from the daily sacrifices of a man and woman who COULD have traveled the world.

13 comments:

Jen said...

isnt it sad that people think they have the right to judge other people and their lifestyle

I enjoyed reading your blog

going to pass its link to my sister who has 8 wonderful children - I am so blessed to be their aunty :)

JenniferM said...

Good post, Rebecca. I gather you're getting some less-than-perfect reactions to moving past the "normal" 2-3 kids. But, from where? I've read your blog for awhile and thought you came from a larger-than-average family.

Keep up the great work! You know what's important in life--don't let those who think otherwise bother you.

Bonnie said...

Excellent Rebecca, very well put!
We (thank-goodness) haven't had comments, some slight facial expressions, but no comments. I'm guessing that since I come from so many kids (10), people just assume we will have more than the average family.
I half wish someone would say something, just so I can quote you. Though I probably wouldn't be so eloquent, and I might punch them in the nose first.

Anonymous said...

Amen Rebecca! - my sister Jen who posted earlier emailed me the link to your post. I wish you every blessing in your journey of motherhood. Sadly I have found the more children I received from GOd the more it seemed to upset others around me. It is something I have had to learn to give to GOd and rise above :)

Wendy said...

I know this feeling all too well Rebecca! I have complete strangers come up to me in the grocery store and ask me if these children are ALL mine? and then...are you gonna have anymore? I get the same questions OVER and OVER...I found a site somewhere for answers to questions asked of big families...such as "you must have your hands full"...response--Id rather have them full than empty... or "you do know how that happens right?--YES, and now we keep our toothbrushes in SEPERATE containers...and more of the like...it comes in handy. Just remember you are building up the army of God!

MameyJane said...

Good for you! What a beautiful way of explaining it. We only have three so far, but when we mention having more people look at us like we're crazy (my MIL in particular). I had 3 babies in 3 1/2 years! I get the "Don't you know what causes that" question all the time. Once I answered, "Yes, I figured it out. So I stopped washing our underwear together." This lady got the funniest look on her face! I probably didn't have a very sweet spirit at the moment, so I don't think I'll answer that way again...I'll just borrow some of your answers!

Kathy said...

Amen!! I was not blessed with a loving husband, and I have two children of my own (now grown - but still under my influence!). However, I have a large influence on my wee nieces and other small children...and I take it very seriously! God bless you and your growing family! ~ Kathy

Michelle said...

Yes, this is especially when the "comments" come rushing in-when you move past the third. With the third, well, you're sort of nuts. After that, you definitely ARE!! :/

You asked if I find that it gets easier or harder the more you have... In some ways, both! ;) I am still getting used to having 5 now, trying to homeschool around feedings/fussings, etc.. When I load them all up and take them somewhere, by the time I get home, I feel like taking a nap! ;)

Overall, though, it really isn't that much more work, especially since my oldest will be 8 this May and can help out a lot, and the others can, too! Plus, they have their chores and all that good stuff that the Newman children do, too. ;)

If you don't disciple your older children or ask much of them, and try to do it all yourself ("you" as in the general public), then no wonder why it is a drag every day!

Keep on keepin' on. The world (and some family and friends) may think we're crazies, but we're doing just fine. :)

Nanci said...

Pecious Rebecca,

I praise the Lord in heaven for the ability that He has given you to state things in very clear terms. My deepest prayer is that the Lord Jesus Christ DOES bless the Newmans, and the Hoovers and all parents who endeavor to raise up the next generation for Christ and the furtherance of His kingdom.
God bless you as you stand firm against the ridicule and ignorance of foolish men and trust our Mighty Savior to give you the strength and the wherewithall to accomplish the GREAT and PRIVILEGED role that He has given you and ALL CHRISTIAN PARENTS.

Thank you for saying that which needs to be said. Let the TRUTH outshine the LIE.

Pitsch Family said...

Wonderful thoughts and thank you ! I cant express how much I needed to hear some of those thoughts. We as mothers and fathers are truly entrusted with the most sacred responsibility. As a military spouse Iam reminded often about duty and respect to country. How much more than should be be giving the same respect to God and passing along this heritage o our kids.

Father's Grace Ministries said...

What a beautiful article Rebecca! Large Christian families ARE a blessing- both now and in the future.

We have been blessed by God with 4, and although I'm not having more due to age- 42- and the toll that multiple surgeries have taken on my problem riddled uterus; I applaud thoes who can give birth naturally, and desire to raise up an army for the Lord.

We homeschool too, and our vision for our children impacting the world in big or little ways is similar to yours.

What others call the daily grind, is definately work that counts for eternity.

Claire

Riahli said...

I love this post. Beautiful and well put. I feel dedicated to the same sorts of things. I get such a hard time for having four kids, from strangers mostly, I often wish I had something witty to say, or eye opening...other times I wish I could wear ear plugs while out with my kids and ignore all the irritating comments and the stares. At least I always get the amazed "Your children are so well behaved" comment. I think I will reread this post and let the comments from others just roll right off my back. :)

Jerelene said...

And I am so glad that there are some wonderful families like yours bringing up children...they are truly blessings from God.
Bless you Rebecca...
Love, Jerelene